This year’s Festival features 24 films from 15 countries, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and Croatia – which joins the European Union in July.

The selection is a mixture of primarily drama and comedy but there are also romance, science fiction and war films. There are two children’s movies, “Kooky” and “The Great Bear“, to be screened the first weekend of the Festival on 18 and 19 May respectively.

The most accomplished film this year is the Danish entry “Melancholia“ which won Best Film at the 2011 European Film Awards, while Kirsten Dunst won Best Actress at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. It was directed by world renowned Danish cinematographer Lars Von Trier.

Two student workshops are scheduled this time around, one at the Barbados Community College (BCC) on 17 May and the other at the EBCCI on 22 May. These workshops are open to the public with Allison Thompson, Senior Tutor in the Division of Fine Art at the BCC facilitating the first one, while Dr. Yanique Hume, Lecturer of Cultural Studies at the UWI facilitates the second.

Movie-goers are also in for a treat with some food and wine sampling from European countries.

Therefore, if Cannes is too far away, too expensive, seize the opportunity of the European Film Festival at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination!

“Pauline’s Bajan Adventures is a brand new book written and published by Pauline Rouiller, a young French writer and explorer, who discovers just how vibrant and different life can be in Barbados. She looks at the world through the lens of a young professional hoping to improve her international marketability with an English language course in sunny landscape of the island. The book travels a course from her decision to travel all the way through to her course completion and beyond with numerous incredibly memorable moments in between. Experience the wonders and amazing elements of Barbados through her depictions of public transportation, liming, cultural samplings, crop over and much, much more. Her stories are for Bajans and travelers alike and will have you laughing, nodding, and sometimes shaking your head as you easily identify with each situation. The book is laid out with colorful photographs on each page that help capture the humour and magic of her stories. Pauline has a keen observational eye and the reader is richly rewarded from start to finish with this delightful book.”

Sounds good, no? This paragraph makes me want to buy my own book!
Now that you know what my publication is about, I have to tell you about the launch that was held at the Morningside Gallery, Barbados Community College.

I had booked the venue months in advance to make sure my book would have a proper welcoming party for its birth. It also kept me motivated through the hurdles I encountered on the way to self-publishing. Indeed, knowing nothing about the field, I have jumped into the project on my own, and have overcome the sponsoring, printing, editing, marketing steps.

The location also had a special meaning for me, as the BCC is where I started my Bajan Adventures, learning English as a Foreign Language at the Language Centre.

With a few hundred copies printed locally by Cole’s printery (best quality found after sharp research) in my car, I’m ready to launch “Pauline’s Bajan Adventures”!

I wanted the event to be as fun and tasty as my stay in Barbados has been. What made my experience of Bimshire so happy? The people !

I asked local characters, special to me, to bring their talent and good vibe to the event.
Follow me!

La Cuisine Gourmande serving fancy delicacies to greet you. French music played to send you in a different world. Mount Gay Rum sponsoring the bar, offering typical refreshments.

Ultimate Cupcake by Intimate Catering sweetening the entrance of the Gallery; Alicia Alleyne, contemporary Bajan Artist exhibiting my favorite pieces of her collection; Evolve, creative shirts brand showcasing their latest design & Japanese Caterer “Okaeri” selling much appreciated sushi at the corner.

The most exciting stories of the book, full sized, on the Gallery walls.

A screen playing my interview on Mornin’ Barbados. The Book Source banner. A table. The books…. And – about an hour after the first visitors arrived – me!

What? I’m on Bajan time. The whole set up took longer than expected, as expected.

As soon as I came back, ready, from the “backstage“, I was thrown on to the microphone, by Erica Hinkson’s side, the Book Source Marketing Manager.

As the distributor of the book, she presented the company and interviewed me.

In a very interactive way, some people came to the mic to ask their questions. “Why have you decided to publish a book? What was your biggest culture shock? What is coming next after this book?”

The need for sharing my experience in such a far away world with my family and friends back home was the first reason why I started writing (on a blog). Bringing a different view about the island for Barbadians (through stories published in the newspaper) was the second motivation that led me to publishing a book.

I had my most traumatic stories in young people parties.

Thinking about travelling some more to write other fun adventures in other countries. Here were some answers. Then I signed copies of the book for the first time of my life. This was the best reward I could have dreamt of.

For further info, please come to the different Book Source events you can also visit paulinesbajanadventures.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/PaulinesBajanAdventures for facebookers.

• Pauline Rouiller

The Gold Quill was awarded in the Communications Skills Division in the category of Special Events – External, for communications management of the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), which took place in the Cayman Islands in May 2012. Dr. Marshall served as Information Officer at CDB from 1999 to February 2013.

IABC 2013 Gold Quill Awards chair, Mr. Tim Buckley, stated in his notification to Dr. Marshall that “winning a Gold Quill Award puts you in the top ranks of the world’s business communicators.”

She is currently lending her expertise to the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority in the role of Public Relations Executive. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, she has responsibility for management of the Authority’s corporate communications.

IABC describes the Gold Quill as “an international symbol of excellence in strategic communication that recognizes smart thinking, flawless execution and proven results.”

This is the first Gold Quill won by a member of the local Chapter since it was established in June 2008. Dr. Marshall sees the award as the “perfect fifth anniversary present for IABC Barbados, and recognition of the strides which the chapter has made since its formation.” She thanked her former employers, CDB, for the opportunity to perform award-winning work which is on par with the best from her colleagues around the globe.

The award is to be presented at this year’s Gold Quill Awards Gala at the IABC World Conference in New York City on Monday, June 24. According to Mr. Buckley, “The Gold Quill Awards Gala celebrates the best and brightest in global business communication.”

Dr. Marshall is one of seven members of IABC Barbados currently pursuing the Accredited Business Communicator designation with IABC. She expressed the hope that this first win will motivate other members of the Barbados Chapter to submit their work to the annual competition, and encourage other local marketing and communication professionals who are not yet members to join IABC.

IABC is a global network of communication professionals committed to improving organisational effectiveness through strategic communication. Established in 1970, IABC serves more than 14,000 communicationprofessionals in 70 countries.

The Digicel Kick Start programme selects the region’s top young footballers to attend the Digicel/Chelsea FC Academy in Barbados

Giving his impressions of his first stint as Kick Start Clinics Head Coach, David talks about how he used the Official Chelsea Youth Development Programme skills test to pick the region’s top 30 players.

“Our methods are tried and tested and are the exact techniques used to select players in the Chelsea FC youth development programme. The process is built on a 360 approach – we assess the players’ fitness, technical ability and agility on the field. The system gives all the players an opportunity to showcase their talent and even at this final Clinic that was held in Antigua, two out of the three players that we selected are members of Antigua’s national team - a fact that we were not aware of prior to their selection. This is a testament to the quality of the process and we believe that from these Clinics, we have selected a truly all-star group of players.”

Winners of the Antigua leg of the Digicel Kick Start Clinics. From left to right: Shavorn Phillip, Jamarlie Stevens and Gevorn Stevens along with the wildcard winner, Andrae Best

“From the welcome reception we received from all of the football associations, the coaches and players, it is clear that football plays a big part in the lives of people living in the Caribbean and Central America. It is also clear to us that the region has players who possess fantastic talent and also have families and friends who support their careers. I remember when we announced the names of the players in Trinidad and Tobago and in Panama in particular, there were lots of tears and joyful celebrations from the relatives who were there and that was very heart-warming for us.”

“We feel that Digicel’s Kick Start programme will have far reaching benefits for the region as long as the local football associations continue to help their players to develop their talent. With a good coaching structure, adequate facilities and support from the wider community, football can only get bigger and better.

Action from the final-leg of the Digicel Kick Start Clinics programme that lasted for six weeks and spanned ten countries across the Caribbean and Central American

“For a lot of these boys, going to the Academy in Barbados means more than just a week-long football training programme – some of these boys have never left their home country and so, with this opportunity, we can see where we are giving them the chance to make their dreams come true.”

Players that will attend the Digicel/Chelsea FC Academy are as follows:

• Antigua and Barbuda – Shavorn Phillip, Jamarlie Stevens and Gevorn Stevens
• Grenada – Shamari Mark, Christian Hadeed and Reshane Houston
• Haiti - Vileus Ortega, Dede Kenley and Derisse Wilson
• Jamaica – Ryan Brown, Cadine Graham and Carru Barrett
• Panama – Jairo Lombardo, Juan Checa and Juan Mancilla
• St. Kitts and Nevis – Geovannie Lake, Yohannes Mitchum and Devaughni Nisbett
• St. Lucia - Anton Paul, Ryi Maryat and Keeroy Lionel
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines – Deno John, Jowan Sawyers and Kyle Edwards
• Suriname – Schmelts E. Unrich, Adipi R. Robertino and Bergtop S. Lorenzo
• Trinidad and Tobago – Kori Cupid, Sebastian Camacho and Travell Edwards

With hallmarks of a statesman and visionary, His Excellency, President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo addressed the nation this week and said, “I appeal to our countrymen that during the campaign there be civility, patriotism, citizenship, and responsibility“.

“Properly understood, we hope that this Electoral Campaign is a noble political game that does not support fighting against opponents, but rather a campaign that allows for the competition of ideas and aids to facilitate the consideration of the People of Equatorial Guinea in proselytizing, for a genuine democratic process that provides to our country a clean and transparent image, that is, it should not raise rivalries, hatred or offenses which violate the individual and collective rights“, the President added.

US Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea meets with President Obiang ahead of elections. For election coverage visit: http://spiritofmalabo.com/elections.html

Leading up to the start of the election campaigning, the President continues to meet with an array of stakeholders throughout the country. One of those was The Honorable Mark L. Asquino, US Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea. In public comments, the Ambassador said, “I have had the opportunity to speak with President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo about the general elections that are coming up, which offer an opportunity to Equatorial Guinea to show that it is committed to democratic development, for which reason it is a very important date for the history of the country“.

Across the pond (America), the electoral campaign underway is capturing the Diaspora attention and admiration. “Equatorial Guinea is emerging as the shining light of Africa for democracy, development and human rights“, said Victor Mooney of New York City based South African Arts International.

The two counterparts gave this undertaking during a courtesy call today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Culloden Road, St. Michael, headquarters. Ambassador Sturm was accompanied by the island’s Honorary Consul to France, Don Chee-A-Tow.

During the meeting, the Minister spoke of the need to attract more French visitors to the island given the vibrancy of the industry in both countries.

Ambassador Sturm, in turn, threw out a number of suggestions on how Barbados could woo more French visitors to these shores by using cultural events as the “drawing card“.

Sturm (at podium) conceded that 5,000 French who visited Barbados annually was not enough; while the Honorary Counsul, Mr. Chee-A-Tow, mentioned ongoing discussions that could possibly lead to Air France flying to Barbados and French Guiana.

Ambassador Sturm pointed out: “At present, most French tourists go to Martinique and Guadeloupe for obvious reasons – the language style, the currency and the food are the same and I am not sure that there are big groups who will want to come just for the sun. Do they want to come and face other cultures overseas? I am not sure. What we are going to work on is not mass tourism but a niche of what I call cultural tourism.”

He further stated: “These types of tourists are the ones who want to get out and see aspects of the island’s culture and this is what we need to work at. In this regard, Barbados needs to have welcoming personnel that can speak French.”

The Ambassador also mentioned how the hosting of literary arts festivals could be also used to attract French visitors and if this came to fruition, the Ambassador said this would “be another avenue to further shape the Barbados/French relations”.

Minister Blackett said there was exposure to the literary arts during the annual Crop Over Festival and during the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) competition.

Barbados and France established diplomatic ties in May 1968. (JC/BGIS)

Emphasising the forum’s mandate to attract potential investors was feature speaker Senator Vasant Bharath, Minister of Trade, Industry & Investment. The Trinidadian Minister noted that meticulous planning was involved in the staging of CIF 2013 with the aim to not only bring investors to Trinidad and Tobago but to keep these investors here.

Trinidad & Tobago’s Trade, Industry & Investment Minister, Vasant Bharath, second from right, chats with (l to r): President of InvesTT , Kelvin Mahabir,; TIC Chairman, Anthony Aboud, and Managing Director Full Circle Animation, Jason Lindsay, during the formal launch of the Caribbean Investment Forum held at the Hyatt Hotel on May 14, 2013 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. (PHOTO: SHIRLEY BAHADUR)

According to Mr. Kelvin Mahabir, president of invesTT, “As a platform for face to face discussion, Caribbean businessmen and industry experts have the opportunity to showcase the competitive advantages that their businesses and countries have to offer to the potential investor. It is an avenue for direct engagement of international counterparts and a direct link to new projects and investment profiles.”

CIF 2013 will build on the success of last year’s forum which welcomed more than 500 business persons and over 60 international, local and regional speakers to Trinidad and Tobago in an effort to develop industries with the potential for growth.

The targeted industries which will be the focus of parallel and plenary sessions at CIF 2013 include Maritime, Agribusiness, Tourism, Business Process Outsourcing, ICT, Creative Industries and Energy. The presentations will surround the 2013 theme: “Caribbean Competitiveness – The nexus of Innovation & Entrepreneurship” and will provide real and imminent examples of opportunities for development and growth. Leading the cadre of international speakers will be Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry Homemade Inc. who will present on successful business models.

The launch also served as an opportunity to highlight successful outcomes of CIF 2012, with a presentation by Mr. Jason Lindsay, Managing Director of Full Circle Animation. The animation sub-sector of the Creative Industries has benefitted from the CIF model and is poised for further growth with the announcement of an animation incubator project which was recently established. This seeks to develop pilot projects of independent animators and the animation industry within Trinidad and Tobago and will be elaborated further at CIF 2013 during the parallel session on the Film Industry.

Foreign participation and potential investors are expected from the US, CARICOM, Canada, UK, Poland, United Emirates, India, Korea, Ghana, South Africa, and in Latin America-Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela.

Caribbean Investment Forum is the first event in a packed week of business activity in Trinidad and Tobago, and is followed by the Trade and Investment Convention (TIC). CIF 2013 is presented by invesTT, Trinidad and Tobago’s investment promotion agency.

• Possession
• Possession with intent to supply
• Trafficking; and
• Importation.

{IMAGE VIA - paperchannel.en.ecplaza.net} Graham arrived by air from Jamaica on May 11, 2013 and was interviewed by Police after clearing Immigration. She was referred to a medical facility where she passed out 2 packets containing cannabis which she had ingested. She also had one hidden in her vagina. Weight 175 grammes.

Graham appeared at the District B Magistrate Court on Wednesday 15 May 2013, and pleaded guilty to the charges. She was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the offence of trafficking.

• David Welch | Insp.

Pub. Rel’s. Officer – RBPF

Powell, the dashing cricketer recently described in global media reports as “enigmatic,” will partner with a leading UK-based group of companies, who are set to develop Pinneys.

Sponsors, advertisers, media, international leagues and tournaments seeking partnerships with, or further information on Powell, are urged to contact his London-based Manager, Emma Everett via management @officialkieranpowell.com

The deal comes on the heels of a successful ad campaign featuring Powell and a leading national Bank, which is set to air later this month, with the charismatic player also recently re-signing a two year deal with his long-term sponsor, Indian cricketing gear giant, Sareen Sports.

The gifted left-handed batsman, a former student of the exclusive Millfield school in England, is a star undeniably on the rise.

He has even stirred interest from Bollywood film producers out in India, owing to his model good-looks and eloquent mannerisms.

This, despite an unfortunate blow, that resulted in surgery to the finger of the stylish 22-year-old left-handed batsmen two weeks ago, following an injury acquired during a regional match in early April, which has left him out of contention for the 2013 West Indies Champions Trophy squad that will compete in England next month, much to his disappointment.

Powell, however, says he is determined to get back to blistering form quickly and is concentrating hard on becoming fully fit in time for the West Indies’ forthcoming Tri-Nation Tournament against India and Sri Lanka, in late June.

One of the most successful cricketers to emerge out of his native island of Nevis, he made his Test debut against India in 2011 and scored two centuries in a single match during the Test series against Bangladesh in November of last year to become only the first West Indian player since Brian Lara, and the ninth West Indian player in history, to achieve the feat.

Powell has displayed elegance, confidence and maturity beyond his years, which saw him kick off his recent tour of Australia with a sensational knock of 83 (his highest ODI score to-date) during the West Indies v Australia ODI series, in February this year.

But it’s not all about chasing runs and bearing the fruits of his on-field success for this exciting young cricketer. Kieran Powell is also both eager and willing to give back to the game, to his fans, and to the community.

Following the ODI match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the same tour, Powell took time out to meet and greet cricket fan Callum, (pictured), an 11-year-old patient from Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick. The personal invitation from the international star and his Manager for Callum to attend the SCG game was an inspiring experience for the youngster, who is in remission from cancer and had just been through hip replacement surgery.

Powell took time out to meet and greet cricket fan Callum, an 11-year-old patient from Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.

Powell also recently arranged for a cheque to be presented to the family of former West Indies cricketer and his Leeward Islands teammate, Runako Morton, who was tragically killed in a car crash in 2012.

Despite the buzz surrounding his incredible ability, the end-focus has remained firmly unchanged for the popular batsman. As the world watches in anticipation, the next steps of an exceptionally talented international cricketer, Kieran Powell remains humble, focused, committed and diligent about perfecting his craft and his first love; playing cricket and representing the West Indies.

Joffrey and Margaery’s wedding! Subscribe http://bit.ly/RDwlvz

George RR Martin‘s Game of Thrones Season 3 is back. Here’s a preview of episode 8 Second Sons.