NGC BOCAS LIT FEST

The NGC Bocas Lit Fest, Trinidad and Tobago’s annual festival of books and writers, is back and it’s bigger and better than ever before. What’s your story? is this year’s theme and tagline.

Running from Friday 28 to Sunday, April 30, the largest annual literary event in the Anglophone Caribbean — now in its 13th year — returns with a fully in-person programme, after three years of running virtual, online festivals because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will be based at the National Library in downtown Port of Spain, with satellite venues around the city featuring over 70 events and 100 authors, speakers, and performers — all dedicated to exploring “the power of stories”.

The festival will showcase many well-known and celebrated names in literature and includes a special focus on life writing, with authors of recent memoirs, biographies, and family histories coming together to share their stories.

There is also The NGC Children’s Bocas Lit Fest with a packed programme of events for youngsters. The popular Children’s Storytelling Caravan is currently ongoing across T&T throughout the month of April in the lead up to the Children’s Festival.

So mark your calendars. The 2023 NGC Bocas Lit Fest is not to be missed.

For updates on the upcoming NGC Bocas Lit Fest, follow @bocaslitfest on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Check the programme at www.bocaslitfest.com or tune in on our Bocas Lit Fest Facebook or YouTube.

NGC CHILDREN’S BOCAS LIT FEST

Alongside the adult festival from April 30 will run an entire programme of events for children, and authors of children’s books. The children’s festival is packed with lively, creative, and interactive events and will culminate with a Jump Up with the beloved Dragonzilla mascot.

One of the highlights of this year’s festival is the “Especially Me” panel discussion and town hall on Sunday, April 30th. This event is a ground-breaking effort to make the NGC Bocas Lit Fest Children’s Festival more inclusive and accessible, with a focus on writing for children with special needs.

FIRST CITIZENS NATIONAL POETRY SLAM

14 poets will challenge Defending Champion Alexandra Stewart at the First Citizens National Poetry Slam Finals on April 30. For 2023, the Slam adopted a storytelling slant, which follows the theme “What’s your story?” from this year’s NGC Bocas Lit Fest, which is set to take place from 28 to 30 April. The Grand Slam is the signature closing event of the annual literary festival. Competing poets are characterised as master storytellers journeying to the Village Circle — the Slam stage — to meet the Grand Master Storyteller, Alexandra Stewart. Tickets cost $200 and are available online at https://www.bocaslitfest.com/poetry-slam/.

For First Citizens National Poetry Slam updates, follow @nationalpoetryslamtt on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or call 367-2289.