About Us

“Words and Music: Bonds and Bridges”

Mission

To promote a world class annual literary festival that connects partners, sponsors, artists, musicians and creative writers in a celebratory environment and fosters unparalleled development in local publishing.

Vision

We strive to attract growing numbers of visitors, award winning authors, and publishers to sustain economic and cultural growth in Montserrat through mutually beneficial linkages with local, regional, and global markets.

The Alliouagana Festival of the Word: A Literary Festival for Montserrat

A grant under the Tourism Challenge Fund in 2009 made it possible to launch the first ever literary festival in Montserrat.  The Alliouagana Festival of the Word took place from Friday November 13 to Sunday November 15, 2009 at the Cultural Centre in Little Bay.  Thanks to the many sponsors, authors, presenters and participants, it was hailed an unqualified success. The second Festival in 2010 was supported by its patron, the President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Dr. Compton Bourne, shortly before the end of his tenure.

The third Alliouagana Festival of the Word is planned for Friday November 11 – to Sunday November 13, 2011 with the second Symposium in the Memorial Lecture Series in honour of the late Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell, “Creative Industries: Forces for Change, Innovation and Entrepreneurship taking place on Thursday November 10, 2011.

The Steering Committee for the Alliouagana Festival of the Word owes a deep debt of gratitude to the authors and presenters who have generously agreed to participate in the Festival and the numerous volunteers who have given of their time, talent and resources.  The assistance of the Montserrat Tourist Board and all sponsors and partners is also deeply appreciated.   Together we will build an event that can be enjoyed by all and which will contribute to economic, social and cultural development on the island of Montserrat.

Gracelyn Cassell
Chair
Steering Committee
Alliouagana Festival of the Word