Frank Collymore Awards celebrate literary excellence, cultural identity

In a vibrant celebration of Barbadian letters, the Frank Collymore Literary Endowment (FCLE) showcased the island’s rich literary talent at its 27th awards ceremony.

The event, held at the Frank Collymore Hall on Saturday evening, underscored the endowment’s crucial role in fostering creativity, preserving cultural heritage, and propelling Barbadian voices onto the global stage.

Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados Elson Gaskin remarked: “From its inception the bank’s vision for the Frank Collymore Literary Endowment has been to nurture our literary heritage, ensuring that Barbadian voices resonate far and wide. The competition has grown into an institution earning respect as a hallmark of quality and creativity and it continues to inspire both emerging and established writers.”

Gaskin highlighted that literature plays a profound role in shaping and preserving our national identity.

“Literature alongside music, film and other art forms holds immense potential for economic diversification and growth,” he noted.

He said: “Each poem, short story, novel or play by a Barbadian writer, each piece of spoken word performed enriches the tapestry of our nation. It reminds us of our shared struggles and trials, our rich cultural heritage, and our underlying spirit.

“You are custodians of our stories, ambassadors of our culture and architects of our identity. Keep writing, keep dreaming and keep daring. The Frank Collymore Literary Endowment exists because of you and for you.”

Dr Yvonne Weekes also highlighted the endowment’s developmental nature: “Some people come in already strong writers, others come in hoping to become writers, but what is important is that the FCLE committee helps to produce a cadre of writers who are not just known in Barbados but are known throughout the region and globally. We are producing a canon of Barbadian and Caribbean literature that we can ultimately be extremely proud of.”

She detailed their upcoming projects, which include an editing workshop, a spoken word initiative, and a return to secondary schools with their writers. “We also want to ensure that the FCLE has more visibility,” she added.

During the ceremony, spoken word nominees squared off for top honours. Taking third place and winning $1 500 was Timon Howard for Anthemology. In second place were Luci Hammans and Cyndi Celeste, who combined their talent with Licensed to Authority, taking home $2 500. Akeem Chandler-Prescod claimed the prestigious top prize for the second consecutive year with Monsters Are Real, going home with $5 000.

Those earning developmental awards will work closely with selected contracted mentors and editors over a six-month period, all geared towards improving their craft. The developmental award for fiction went to Patrick Michael Foster for It is Written Book 1, while the developmental award for poetry went to Ramario Phillips for Soil Remembers. He was also the recipient of the John Wickham Prize, which includes a cash award of $1 000 and is presented to an entrant under age 25 whose work merits recognition by the committee.

Veteran novelist and poet Nailah Folami Imoja secured top honours and the FCLE award, receiving $10 000 for Jamaica’s Exam (Prose). Also in the winners’ row in the literary category were third-placed Andie Davis who won $5 000 with her entry Fools and Kings and Gloria Eastmond whose poetry collection Blackness Stretches Over the Land earned her second place and $7 500.

Master of ceremonies was Andre Harewood and the keynote address was delivered by Professor Emerita Jane Bryce. Attendees were treated to excerpts from the literary finalists and a guest appearance by vocalist Kellie Cadogan.

(STT)