SOURCE: JAMESMURUA

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

In 2020, the House of Nehesi Publishers announced the new Caribbean Literature Day to be hosted on July 12. The day was chosen for when Spanish Franciscan priest and bishop of Yucatán, Diego de Landa, with soldiers and colonial authorities in attendance, ordered the burning of sacred Mayan texts containing knowledge spanning millennia in 1562. The plan was to celebrate the day by reading work by Caribbean authors; buying Caribbean books, published in the Caribbean and beyond, and by Caribbean authors; and presenting Caribbean books as gifts. There were many activities celebrating literature from that part of the world on the day.

The St Martin’s Book Fair was hosted in the Caribbean nation earlier in the month and as it ended the House of Nehisi announced the road for this year’s edition of Caribbean Literature. In a statement, they called on everyone to take part in this year’s celebrations.

“The House of Nehesi Publishers, on the occasion of the 18th annual St. Martin Book Fair, is hereby inviting all writers, aspiring writers, literary festivals, book clubs, journals, creative writing programs, 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, to join us in celebrating: July 12 as Caribbean Literature Day,” the statement said.

It went on to say, “We envision this day as the first pan-Caribbean literature day, celebrating the roots, range, and excellence of writings and books across the language zones of our region. Celebrate the day by reading the works of your favorite Caribbean authors; buying Caribbean books, published in the Caribbean and beyond, and by Caribbean authors; and presenting Caribbean books as gifts. Celebrate the day with books, recitals, and with discussions about books, of poetry, fiction, drama, art, music, and all the other genres by Caribbean writers.”

So there you have it, on July 12 you are requested to celebrate Caribbean writing wherever you are.