Alafair Burke at Literary Festival event.
ANGUILLA–Chairperson of Anguilla’s upcoming 2019 Lit Fest Sherille Hughes welcomed book enthusiasts to “An Evening with Alafair Burke” at the CuisinArt Resort and Residences on Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla, on March 17. Author Burke, a New York Times bestselling author, whose most recent novels include The Wife which is under production for a feature film, and The Ex, is a long-time visitor to the island and supporter of Anguilla’s annual Lit Fest.
A former prosecutor, Burke now teaches criminal law at Hofstra University and lives in Manhattan, New York. She read excerpts from her novel The Wife, and then spent time discussing how she chooses and develops her novel topics. Also on the programme were two local poets, Fiona Wilkinson and Alexis Ryan.
Hughes said one of the key components of the Anguilla Lit Fest is to champion the pursuit of literacy on the island. She said, “This valuable outreach work funded by our generous sponsors, donations and ticket sales allows a cross-section of our students from all the island’s primary and secondary schools to interact with the visiting authors and attend sessions at the Lit Fest. Authors visit schools, the library, the Community College, other educational establishments and Her Majesty’s Prison. For many of the Lit Fest participants, this opportunity to give back to the local community is one of the most rewarding aspects of the festival.”
The Anguilla Literary Festival allows writers, performers and the audience to get involved. This year’s event dubbed “Books, Beaches and a Better You” is the eighth annual event and will be held at the Paradise Cove Resort, May 16 through 19. Headlining the list of participants is Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Alice Walker who wrote The Colour Purple. Also attending will be poet/author Jason Reynolds, social media speakers including husband and wife team Tony A. Junior and Sheri Gaskins, literary advocate Glory Edim, Denene Miller, motivational speaker Sadequ Johnson, Patricia Marie Cummings, Ira Summer Simmonds and Stephanie Stokes Oliver.
Hughes said this combination of outstanding writers and speakers combined with the beauty of Anguilla’s beaches and the opportunity to mix and mingle with like-minded people in a laid back, yet luxurious destination is sure to be a tonic for anyone hoping to relax, rejuvenate or reinvent themselves.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/86124-anguilla-literary-festival-hosts-alafair-burke-at-fundraiser-event
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