From Thursday through Sunday, the USVI Literary Festival and Book Fair will transform the Albert Sheen Campus of the University of the Virgin Islands into an epicenter of storytelling, scholarship, and cultural pride. This year’s theme, “Caribbean Literature: A Force of Representation,” celebrates the power of regional voices to shape identity, resist erasure, and inspire generations.
The four-day festival honors the legacy of past supporters with an In Memoriam tribute to Elisa McKay and Peter Roka, whose contributions continue to uplift Virgin Islands creatives, and welcomes an extraordinary lineup of authors, educators, artists, and community leaders from across the Caribbean and beyond.
The festival opens Thursday with an Opening Reception at Government House, featuring literary analysis presentations and musical performances. On Friday, the festival kicks into high gear with literary panels and workshops, including presentations by Richard Warburg, Louise Stapleton, and Danica David. Sessions will focus on literature and identity, Caribbean self-determination, and the impact of artificial intelligence on creative writing, complemented by hands-on workshops on storytelling craft and editing.
Friday evening, the Book Bacchanal social gathering takes place at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in Frederiksted, offering live music, open-mic poetry, author readings, and refreshments in a festive atmosphere.
Saturday marks the main festival day. It begins with a breakfast social, followed by an opening conversation with acclaimed author Edwidge Danticat. Panels will explore healing and heritage, intellectual property for writers, and a Virgin Islands Writers Round Table showcasing local talent. Throughout the day, children’s literature workshops led by notable authors will focus on diversity in visual narrative, family storytelling, and interactive reading experiences. Attendees can also enjoy a screening of the film “Gods of the Universe: Rise of the Star Child” by Katie Mae Sitaram.
At Cane Roots Gallery, author appearances and an Ekphrastic Poetry event invite attendees to participate in poetry competitions responding to visual art. Saturday will also feature the announcement of winners of the Ekphrasti Poetry Competition across middle school, high school, and college/adult categories.
The festival concludes Sunday with a Children’s Literature Festival on the Estate Carlton campus of the Children’s Museum of St. Croix, followed by an online Writers Roogoodoo session where writers will share excerpts from their works.
The Ekphrasti Poetry Competition remains open for entries inspired by one of the book covers on the festival flyer. Submissions should be sent to regina.keels@vide.vi, with prizes ranging from $40 to $100, along with writing packages depending on age group and placement.
Generous sponsors making this event possible include The Buccaneer Hotel, the University of the Virgin Islands, VI Lottery, Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Diageo, UVI RT Park, USVI Department of Education, USVI Fire Service, Department of Property and Procurement, Budget Rent a Car, VI Daily News, The Children’s Museum of St. Croix, St. Croix Foundation for Community Development, and the Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums.
