The Calabash Literary Festival is Back On!

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: The Calabash Literary Festival is Back On!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By TB.Net on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 07:56 am: Edit Post

Calabash 2009 is on!

[March 27, 2009 — Kingston, Jamaica] Miracles happen. At Calabash we’ve always known this to be true. At the first Calabash in 2001, a flock of yellow butterflies hovered like a mist over the festival tent on the first day. They stayed with us until the final day, when they disappeared. What could that have been but a miracle?

On Friday, March 27, we experienced our most recent miracle — the Jamaica Tourist Board informed us that they’re committing US$40,000 to the festival. A few minutes later, the CHASE Fund informed us of their commitment to fund the festival for the next three years.

And so it is, that on Friday, May 22, the 9th annual Calabash International Literary Festival will take place at Jakes, in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.

We’d like to thank the members of the boards of these two organizations. They have made it possible for this festival that means so much to so many people to continue giving of itself to all those who hold it dear. This list includes hotel operators, taxi drivers, restaurant owners, booksellers, fishermen, artisans, massage therapists. People who sell fruit.

The list would not be complete, however, without the mention of the people of Treasure Beach and their elected representatives past and present. Ordinary citizens at other times of the year — they transform themselves into maitre’ds and concierges at festival time. They become mayors. They become tour guides. They treat each and every one of the thousands of people who come to visit like a princess or a prince.

To the people of Treasure Beach we want to say, “Thanks for your faith. Thanks for your dignity. Thanks for your annual contribution of spirit and sweat and imagination. Without you, this festival could not exist.”

Finally, we’d like to thank the thousands of people who come to the festival every year. You are the reason why we exist. You are a part of what will go down in history as THE MIRACLE OF 2009. Your letters and phone calls did not just reach the ears of power. They went to the ears of all the gods of all the tribes of all the people whose ancestors now call this Jamaica their home. Friends, Calabashers, your passion will continue to make our hearts flutter like the wings of those yellow butterflies that hovered over us on that very first day nine years ago.

We remain humbled by all the love we’ve been shown. We also remain emboldened to fight for what we know to be beautiful and true. And there is nothing more beautiful than to see people gathered together in peace and love.

Thanks for helping us to be the greatest little festival in the greatest little district in the greatest little country in the world.

Justine Henzell


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By TB Lover on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 12:05 pm: Edit Post

This truly is amazing! I am someone who have benefitted from this spectacular event!! In so many ways - just sitting and enjoying the readings and poems is one way (both exhilarating and therapeutic). I have also benefitted from some of the patrons who stayed at our villa. Meeting so many friends from long ago plus meeting new people is also something to look forward.
Thanks to everyone who have put in their final effort to fight for this event Calabash to be a reality. The organizers, and Miss Rebecca for that well written, heartfelt, and urgent letter to the Tourism Minister on behalf of the people of Treasure Beach.
Everyone benefits from Calabash - Thanks again and so sorry I won't be there but I know it will be even better this year, as it gets better and better each successive year.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Relief on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 11:04 am: Edit Post

What a relief!!!!!!!!..Thanks Justine for delivering such good news.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brilliant on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 11:58 am: Edit Post

Brilliant move, Justine. Brilliant results too. Why do I feel as if you thought Calabash might not be cancelled if you got your story in the Gleaner?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Calabash junky on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 11:01 am: Edit Post

Give thanks and praises!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mair on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 10:54 am: Edit Post

OMG!!! Great news!!!!
(I got goosebumps!)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jamaica51 on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 11:40 am: Edit Post

Bless my eyes this morning
Jah sun is on the rise again
The way earthly thins' are goin',
Anything can happen - Bob Marley


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Skeptic on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 09:18 am: Edit Post

For more reasons than I could possibly list, I am thrilled Calabash is back on.

I hate to be a skeptic, but I am wondering if the cancellation notice was a PR ploy designed to embarrass the various Jamaican government entities into funding the Festival.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By turey on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 12:40 pm: Edit Post

Great news. Enjoy!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Help the Schools on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 03:10 pm: Edit Post

I read the post from Skeptic and I first thought NO WAY. The more I think about it, the more convinced I am Skeptic has hit the nail on the head.

Am stil very pleased Calabash is back on.

Am also thinking it wouldn't hurt to ask for donations at the gate. Absolutely voluntary. As Calabash is a LITERARY Festival, the money collected could be sufficient to assist with the community's literary needs. It could be used to buy one copy of each of the books sold at the Festival for each of the area primary and high schools. It could be used for the computer lab at Sandy Bank Primary; they don't even have an internet connection, yet they need to have their students learn 21st century skills. It could be used to buy instructional CD-ROMS for Sandy Bank.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By YES YES YES on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 04:30 pm: Edit Post

Great idea to Help the Schools. People have shown they'd be willing to pitch a little money in - or maybe more than a little. As the organizers now have sufficient funding, it would be wonderful to do something for the community. If there are enough books - are there ever enough books to read? - a top-rate computer lab would be most welcomed. What Sandy Bank now has borders on being pitiful.

I recall the bottled water at the Festival being gratis. Can't help thinking people - some of them - would be glad to pay for water if the money went to the schools.

The TBWG is another great resource that could use help, as they assist all over the community.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Janet Todd on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 03:39 pm: Edit Post

Just heard the wonderful news, congratulations for all who pulled the Festival back from the cliff.

I do agree with Help the Schools that a voluntary donation would be a really good idea; I am sure most people would be happy to give something and in particular to help the children in the community that gives so many so much pleasure and happiness.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By missktluv on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 03:42 am: Edit Post

Thank goodness! How fantastic, miracles do happen and the good does prosper! Well done to all the miracle makers and heres cheers to a fantastic festival, it will be my first and I cannot wait.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Very Happy Today on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 06:25 am: Edit Post

I am SO excited the Festival is back on. Hooray!! Great work everybody!!

I also agree that voluntary contributions could be used for the schools. Money raised could go to Treasure Beach Foundation and they could disseminate items to the schools. They already are supplying books and computer equipment but I'm sure more can always be used. You can reach them at www.treasurebeachfoundation.org.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By calabashon on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 05:52 am: Edit Post

Check it out!

Calabash revived - Organisers secure government and private sponsorship
Published: Sunday | March 29, 2009

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090329/ent/ent1.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kayon on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 02:45 pm: Edit Post

Thank God that Calabash is back on, praise the Lord.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By CK on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 02:35 pm: Edit Post

Rebecca- that was an incredibly well written letter of yours that appeared in the Gleaner today about Calabash.
You should write more often!
Can you post it online so more people can read it?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Congratulations on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 04:03 pm: Edit Post

Great job! Congratulations to the organizers. This is so wonderful. I am beyond ecstatic. This makes me feel very very good.

I also love the idea of donating money to the schools and Treasure Beach Foundation. The kids need money more than ever.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By missktluv on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 09:07 am: Edit Post

I agree the about the voluntary contributions for book and computer equipment and the TB foundation are a fab organization.
I also know that the TBWG and a new NGO organisation called "ijamaica" is wanting to get involved with some kind of literacy programme for the Treasure Beach area. It is all tied in and could really help TB and the surrounding areas. Let's try and make this happen hey!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By alice on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 05:36 pm: Edit Post

It's great to know that there is an NGO interested in literacy in TB. I was going to suggest that funds raised via contributions at the Festival be used to set up such a program. Thanks Missktluv.
There are lots of people in the area who are smart but didn't learn to read, and could benefit from a literacy program as it's never too late to learn. I would be willing to support and volunteer in August when I will be there next. Karen Kennedy, would it be possible for TB Foundation to coalesce on such a worthwhile project?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Observer on Saturday, March 28, 2009 - 02:18 pm: Edit Post

The Henzells have learned the power of TB.net.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By missktluv on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 05:41 am: Edit Post

Hi Alice, If you would like to email me directly in regards to your support for the future literacy program in TB. Thank you for your interest. Katie Loveday- ijamaicainfo@gmail.com


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Melissa on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 05:34 am: Edit Post

Supporting the various nonprofit programs in Treasure Beach would be quite admirable. Literacy and education are certainly vital. We must remember if the festival organizers choose to ask for donations for good works in TB, they will get to decide which NGOs to support. What you or I determine are the most worthy might not be the same ones the organizers would prefer to support.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Being Logical on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 07:00 am: Edit Post

Though I agree it would be quite generous for the organizers to spread pssible contributions across the various NGOs which serve TB, please recall that Justine Henzell is Jason Henzell's sister. As Jason heads BREDS, it is logical she may want to give any funds collecetd to BREDS.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By TBNet on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 10:04 am: Edit Post

A link to Rebecca's letter that was published in the Gleaner:
http://jamaicagleaner.com/gleaner/20090328/letters/letters3.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Karen Kennedy on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 10:07 am: Edit Post

I am quite flattered that several people have mentioned Treasure Beach Foundation as a possible recipient for voluntary contributions collected at Calabash Festival. However, I ask you to keep in mind the organizers have not said they were going to collect donations. Additionally, if they do choose to do so, it is their right and privilege to determine which NGOs might be the fortunate recipients of these funds. If they decide to ask for donations, and if we would receive a portion of those, we would be profoundly grateful—as would the current and future scholarship recipients.

I would also like the Forum readers to know I have been in communication with Katie Loveday for some time. We are working together to see how our NGOs might be able to compliment each other in Treasure Beach. As I said to her just yesterday, “There is so much good that can be done in TB—there is merely a lack of resources/money.”


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Community Minded on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 04:54 pm: Edit Post

Nice words from Karen Kennedy. She has a generous spirit.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Schedule on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 07:43 am: Edit Post

Now that the Festival is back on, is there a schedule we could see?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By thumbs up on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 10:06 am: Edit Post

very well said, it´s a great letter, Rebecca, respect.. !


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Congratulations on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 01:10 pm: Edit Post

Any word on whetther the organizers are willing to collect for the community NGOs?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Congratulations on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 02:24 pm: Edit Post

Did the Calabash organizers decide if they were willing to collect voluntary donations to distribute to NGOs serving Treasure Beach?

Is there a website for the Festival's schedule?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Congratulations on Friday, May 01, 2009 - 06:00 am: Edit Post

One more time:

Did the Calabash organizers decide if they were willing to collect voluntary donations to distribute to NGOs serving Treasure Beach?

Is there a website for the Festival's schedule?