The Bocas UK Tour 2022
/At the end of October 2022, the internationally acclaimed literature festival Bocas Lit Fest came to the UK for the first time. Based in Trinidad and Tobago, Bocas Lit Fest is the world’s largest literary festival celebrating Caribbean and diaspora writing, and has become a pillar and leader within the community.
NGC Bocas Lit Fest Logo.
At Renaissance One, we were excited to support this important event on the Caribbean literature calendar as Associate Producers – Bocas is unique in its broad showcase of Caribbean and diaspora voices, and this tour marked its first time ever in the UK.
The Bocas UK Tour was originally planned for a couple of years back, when Bocas celebrated its 10-year anniversary. But like so many plans, the Covid-pandemic put a stop to it – but that extra time to plan made it even more of a triumph when Bocas finally touched down in the UK this fall.
With over 25 award-winning, innovative, and internationally acclaimed writers on board, the tour made stops in 5 cities across the UK over the course of a week: Leicester, Leeds, Norwich, Belfast, and London. The headline event at the British Library in London was a wonderful day full of readings, panel discussions, and signings.
The day at the British Library ran from 11am until 9pm on Saturday 29 October, with new panels running every half hour.
Among the 25 writers in the programme were Celeste Mohammed and Canisia Lubrin, the two latest OCM Bocas Prize winners, who were both meeting UK audiences for the first time, and internationally acclaimed Amanda Smyth, Shivanee Ramlochan and Jacob Ross and many more.
The day opened with Ways in the World – a panel with Barbara Jenkins, Ira Mathur, Grace Nichols, and Audrey Brown, speaking about autobiographical stories of displacement and homecoming.
Camera catching live event for online streaming at the British Library during the Bocas UK Tour 2022. Photography Lyndon Douglas, courtesy of Bocas Lit Fest.
“Wow, wow... I learned of many writers I did not know and heard ones I love. ”
The day followed with panels exploring speculative fiction, poetry, historical writing, contemporary narratives, and everything in between.
Celia Sorhaindo reading at a panel during the Bocas UK tour at the British Library. Photography Lyndon Douglas, courtesy of Bocas Lit Fest.
The session Dont Call it Magic explored the intricacy of writing Caribbean myth and folklore and how it weaves into the past and present.
An Island is a World discussed the complexity of voices and concerns in 21st century Caribbean.
Mothers, Fathers, Daughters, Sons was a deep-dive into writing the betrayal, ambition, and trauma that plays out in our bloodlines, and how to make it justice on the page.
Alongside the buzzing audience at the library, the entire day was livestreamed for audiences across the UK, the Caribbean, and around the world who couldn’t be there on the day.
“To watch these sessions with smart commentators, and every session had great camera work, great sound. I am watching some sessions twice! ”
Cecil Browne, Amanda Smyth and Nicholas Laughlin smiling during a panel at the British Library. Photography Lyndon Douglas, courtesy of Bocas Lit Fest.
The Caribbean Book Stand at the British Library Bocas event. Photography Renaissance One.
In between panels, attendees and authors alike mingled by Renaissance One’s Caribbean book stand, perusing and buying titles from the authors while discussing, socialising, or getting their books signed at the signing table across the way.
Throughout the day, a food truck served Caribbean street food outside on the square, and when the British Library closed its doors and the bar opened at 5pm, the festival was still in full swing.
The Grand Finale was co-produced by Renaissance One, with our signature LIMING event featuring John Agard, Grace Nichols, Fred D’Aguiar, Randolph Matthews, Shivanee Ramlochan and our own Melanie Abrahams. With music, spoken word, and poetry to delight the senses, the lively, joyful performances rounded off the day to loud applause.
“Renaissance One’s final session was the dessert at the end of a long satisfying meal. So fun, so upbeat.”
John Agard, Melanie Abrahams, Grace Nichols, Fred D'Aguiar, Shivanee Ramlochan and Randolph Matthews during Renaissance One's Liming event. Photography Lyndon Douglas, courtesy of Bocas Lit Fest.
The UK Bocas Tour 2022 was a great triumph, connecting hundreds of people across the UK with superb storytellers, poets, and artists, exploring the Caribbean and diaspora experience through literature and meaningful conversation.
the Renaissance One team at the end of the bocas lit fest at the british library. Photography Lyndon Douglas, courtesy of Bocas Lit Fest.
As such an important event on the Caribbean literature calendar, Renaissance One was proud to be Associate Producer of the festival on its first visit to the UK, and look forward to seeing where the festival goes next.