The recently concluded Calabash International Literary Festival once again transformed Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, into an electrifying hub of ideas, art, and community spirit. From May 23 to May 25, 2025, the festival’s three days of diverse programming resonated deeply with audiences who came to experience a celebration of literature that transcended the page. Attendees from across the Caribbean and beyond gathered in an environment marked by warmth, spontaneity, and an unwavering commitment to creative exploration .
Below is the line up for the 3 days of festival; book reading, poetry, music, food sun and beach.
The festival’s schedule was as rich and multifaceted as the island itself. Opening sessions on Friday set the tone with thought-provoking events like “Truth and Dare,” where memoirs and personal narratives challenged conventional storytelling. As the day progressed, sessions such as “Writing a Continent” and “Two The Hard Way” invited literary minds to delve into poetic expressions and the darker shades of noir fiction. Throughout the festival, the lineup—ranging from celebrated authors like Alexandra Fuller and Safiya Sinclair to riveting open mic sessions hosted by Professor Carolyn Cooper—ensured that every hour offered a new perspective or a surprising twist. This innovative scheduling, only revealed a month prior to the event, exemplified the organizers’ trust in their audience’s appetite for discovery .
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At the heart of Calabash is a spirit of radical inclusivity and community empowerment. The festival thrives on the pro bono contributions of writers, poets, and creatives, all united by the belief that literature should be accessible to all. Co-founder Justine Henzell captured this ethos perfectly when she remarked, “We are four things: earthy, inspirational, daring and diverse.” This commitment to authenticity shone through every session and conversation, ensuring that the event was not just a series of readings, but a vibrant dialogue among individuals who share a passion for storytelling .
One of the most memorable highlights of this year’s festival was the homage paid to Jamaica’s rich cultural legacy through music. In a stirring tribute to the 50th anniversary of Burning Spear’s seminal album Marcus Garvey, an ensemble led by guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith and his Binghistra Movement delivered a powerful, live performance on the closing day. This musical interlude was more than a nod to the past; it was a reminder of how literature, music, and history can come together to foster unity and inspire future generations .
Below is the album Marcus Garvey
Beyond the scheduled readings and performances, Calabash 2025 served as a catalyst for community rejuvenation. Treasure Beach, known for its laid-back charm and artistic heritage, was reinvigorated by the festival’s energy. Local residents and visitors alike found themselves immersed in discussions about the power of narrative—from conversations addressing Jamaica’s reading crisis to panels that celebrated the transformative impact of storytelling. The festival not only showcased legendary voices from around the world but also uplifted the emerging talents of the island, ensuring that every shared story added to the collective narrative of the community .
A section of the wonderful and colorful audience.
As the final notes of Burning Spear’s tribute faded under a starlit Caribbean sky, the enduring legacy of the Calabash Literary Festival was unmistakable. Participants departed with new insights, a rekindled love for the written word, and the promise that this celebration of cultural expression will continue to resonate long after the stage is folded away. With its blend of spontaneity, collaboration, and artistic daring, Calabash 2025 reaffirmed that even in a modest setting, literature possesses the power to transform spaces and lives.
Looking forward, the festival’s transformative impact serves as a beacon for future editions—an invitation to further explore the intersections of literature, music, and community spirit. For anyone who has ever believed that words can change the world, Calabash in Treasure Beach remains an enduring reminder: sometimes, under the expansive Caribbean sky, every story matters.
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