Dawes (left) and Goodison (right) THREE OF Jamaica's literary luminaries will take centre stage at the Woodstock Poetry Festival, which takes place in Woodstock, New York from August 21 -24.
The three are Professor Edward Baugh, Kwame Dawes, and Lorna Goodison. Pamela Mordecai, another outstanding Jamaican poet, was also invited, but will be unable to attend.
The Woodstock Festival, an annual event, will bring together a tapestry of diverse poets, including Pulitzer prize winners and poet laureates. While poets taking part in past festivals have been almost always Americans, the 2003 Festival features nationals from a wide band of countries, but Jamaica has a premier spot as in addition to the feast of poetry from some of Jamaica's best the event includes a Jamaican Rasta Luncheon, where Rasta chef Jah Morris will bring some of the island's fine "Ital" cooking to the hills of upstate New York.
Though all of the poets have their roots in Jamaica, they are internationally known for their work. Edward Baugh is Professor Emeritus of English at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies, as well as visiting professor of Caribbean literature at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies.
His poetry brings to life the light, smells and sensual touch of island living.
As Public Orator for the University of the West Indies, Professor Baugh is widely admired for his oratory and rich delivery. He has been awarded the Musgrave Silver Medal, the Pelican Award from the U.W.I. Guild of Graduates and the Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in teaching and administration.
Lorna Goodison has received much recognition and many awards for her writing in both poetry and prose. She is the recipient of the Gold Musgrave Medal from the Institute of Jamaica, the Commonwealth Poetry Prize for the Americas, and a Fellowship from the Bunting Institute, Harvard University. She has been a central figure at important international festivals and conferences throughout the world, and was commissioned by the BBC to write and record a poem to celebrate National Poetry Day in October 2002.
Kwame Dawes, born in Ghana of Jamaican parents, grew up in Kingston and now lives and teaches in South Carolina. The countryside of Ghana, the street life of Kingston and the low country of South Carolina are the central motif of his work.
Pamela Mordecai lives and works in Canada. A product of Alpha Academy and the University of the West Indies, she is an acknowledged leader of Jamaica's community of poets and writers.
The Jamaican poets' participation in the Woodstock Poetry Festival is sponsored by Intermedia Foundation of New Jersey which, in association with Jamaican businessman Winston Stona, produced "It was The Singing", a CD featuring a collection of poems by Edward Baugh. The CD was produced in September 2002.
Commenting on the event, Winston Stona acknowledged the contribution of Gerd Stern, President of Inermedia Foundation. Mr. Stern, an American national, has had a home in Jamaica for some 20 years.
"Gerd is an ardent admirer of Jamaican literature," Mr. Stona said. "He has become enmeshed in the culture of this country, and this event will showcase some of the best of Jamaican literary talent. I think this is a wonderful tribute to our poets."
