THE EDITOR, Sir:ON TUESDAY, June 3, The New York Times published an article on Jamaica that didn't make us cringe. Instead it made us proud. Long and well reported, with an eye for all the things whose large proportions make Jamaicans unique - pride, intelligence, creativity, resilience, complexity, beauty, confidence and charisma - the article was illustrated with three pictures, one of which was almost as wide as the page.
It was a feature on the Calabash International Literary Festival - the greatest little festival in the greatest little district in the greatest little country in the world. As such, we, the members of the board of the Calabash International Literary Festival Trust, would like to thank the people of Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth and the citizens of Jamaica.
Although the article was about the festival, in fact it was about each and every one of us, because it was a celebration of the Jamaican spirit. We are the embodiment of that spirit. It is our pride, intelligence, creativity, resilience, complexity, beauty, confidence and charisma that amaze and fascinate the world. Unlike everybody else we don't have to pretend to be Jamaican. For us it is a natural thing!
The Calabash story made the front page of the Times' Arts section. It was the longest story in the section and continued from the cover to an inside page. This is a major achievement. Some of the most important cultural institutions in the world are based in New York. The city is also host to some of the world's most important cultural events. It is also the epicenter of some of the world's most powerful cultural industries - including publishing.
Why did the editors of the Times choose to position a story on a young festival in a remote corner of a rural parish on a small island known more for music and sports - and let's be honest, violence - above all other arts-related stories that day? The answer is this clear - editors of the Times have recognised that Calabash is emerging as a global cultural force. Forces move, they cut new paths and they create momentum in their wake. The Times has put the planet on alert.
LARGER THAN A LITERARY EVENT
Calabash is larger than a literary event. It is a glimpse at a possible future in which small countries will be able to irrigate their own development through culture, specifically, by stimulating, promoting and supporting the local enjoyment and creation of high-quality cultural products - books, music, theatre, movies, TV programmes, fashion houses, restaurants, galleries and more.
To most readers of the Times, Calabash is an instant success. But to those of you who have been patrons of the festival for the last three years especially the fishing and farming people of that wonderfully charismatic district of Treasure Beach the quality of the festival is old news, because you have always been important to us. We have never taken you for granted. It was so fitting that the story in the Times began with you.
We began by thanking our audience, but there are many people and organisations that deserve our thanks for their financial, material, professional and moral support. Love and thanks to all the volunteers, including all the members of the board, who collectively committed in excess of half a year to making the festival possible.
Love and thanks to Jason Henzell and all the staff of Jake's. Love and thanks to all the authors. You too are volunteers. Each and every one of you agree to read without receiving payment because you believe in your art, you believe in Jamaica and you believe in the ideals and ambitions of the festival.
Love and thanks to all the sponsors, without you we could not exist.
As has been the case in all preceding years, we're working hard to make the coming festival bigger and better than in all the years before. We will build on our successes.
I am, etc.,
COLIN CHANNER
Founder & Artistic Director of the Calabash Festival
