Caribbean Literature Day is set to be marked on July 12, 2022

on Jun 16, 2022

The House of Nehesi Publishers stated in 2020 that the new Caribbean Literature Day will be held on July 12. The date was chosen to commemorate the burning of ancient Mayan scriptures containing millennia of knowledge by Diego de Landa, a Spanish Franciscan priest and bishop of Yucatán, in 1562, in the presence of soldiers and colonial authorities. The aim was to commemorate the day by reading work by Caribbean authors, purchasing Caribbean books published in the Caribbean and elsewhere, and presenting Caribbean books as gifts. On that day, there were numerous festivities honouring literature from that region of the world.

The St Martin's Book Fair was held earlier this month in the Caribbean nation, and as it came to a close, the House of Nehisi announced the itinerary for this year's edition of Caribbean Literature. They issued a statement encouraging everyone to participate in this year's festivities.

"On the occasion of the 18th annual St. Martin Book Fair, the House of Nehesi Publishers hereby invites all writers, aspiring writers, literary festivals, book clubs, journals, creative writing programmes, and all creative artists, institutions, and media of the Caribbean region; all Caribbean peoples; and all lovers of Caribbean writings, authors, and books, from everywhere in the world," the statement reads.

"We envisage this day as the first pan-Caribbean literature day, recognising the roots, range, and excellence of works and books across our region's linguistic zones," it continued. Celebrate the day by reading the works of your favourite Caribbean authors, purchasing Caribbean books published in the Caribbean and elsewhere, and written by Caribbean authors, and giving Caribbean books as gifts. Celebrate the day with books, recitals, and debates about books by Caribbean writers in poetry, fiction, theatre, art, music, and all other categories."

So, on July 12, wherever you are, you are invited to honour Caribbean writing.