The event continues to grow in prominence, reflecting the College’s commitment to celebrating and promoting Saint Lucian literary talent both locally and in the diaspora.

Kathy Birch-McDiarmed, Librarian at SALCC, explained the significance of the festival.

“It’s meant to showcase and bring to light the literary talent of our nationals, Tenooshans living both here on island and in the diaspora,” she said.

“We think that events like the Book Fair, and certainly our Word of Poetry Slam, augur well for showcasing the literary talent of our Saint Lucian people. I feel that we need more platforms like that for creatives.”

Birch-McDiarmed also highlighted the broader cultural and educational importance of such initiatives.

“Very few events on island focus on this, and I think mostly they deal with the sale of school texts. There is a correlation between the lack of understanding of the role that libraries play in society, and I think everything connects.”

The Book Fair offers authors a platform to showcase their work, whether fully published or still in manuscript form.

“The Book Fair gives authors that opportunity to showcase their works and their books, even if it’s at the manuscript stage, we invite that,” Birch-McDiarmed said.

She added that the campus was abuzz during the January edition, which featured over 40 authors, reflecting a growing interest and participation in the literary arts.

By linking the Book Fair and Literary Festival to the Nobel Laureate Festival, SALCC aims to further elevate the visibility of Saint Lucian literature and create opportunities for emerging writers, poets, and other creatives to gain recognition on a global stage.