The inaugural Bim Literary Festival and Book Fair took place in May 2012. Its theme was “Words Need Love Too,” a sentiment borrowed from a poem by Barbados’ best known poet, Kamau Brathwaite.

Organized by Writers Ink, a collective of Barbados’ leading novelists and poets, that first festival featured literary giants: Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott, Alba Prize winner George Lamming and Giller Award winners Austin “Tom” Clarke and Lorna Goodison.

The aim of any literary festival is to engage people with reading, writing and literature. The Bim Lit Fest, as it’s already affectionately known, gives writers and readers, editors and agents, that all too rare opportunity to get together, lime, and interact one-on-one.

Once again falling under the patronage of the Prime Minister’s Office, the 2014 Bim Lit Fest is already recognized as an event – an occasion – of national significance. This year’s festival will be staged from 15-17 May in historic Bridgetown, whose surroundings are part of our World Heritage Property.