Jamaica’s Consul General to Toronto, Anne-Marie Bonner, has said that the upcoming Caribbean Canadian Literary Expo (CCLE) would promote excellence and diversity in the Canadian literary landscape.

Slated to take place in April, May and June across the city of Toronto, the CCLE will feature a wide range of events under the theme, ‘Word Waves’, in celebration of the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

“It will showcase authors, poets, storytellers and other professionals from the oral traditions of French, Spanish, Dutch and Creole-speaking Caribbean,” said Consul General Bonner at a recent Book Reading, featuring several Jamaican authors at Burke’s Bookstore.

Miss Bonner noted that the event, dubbed “An Evening of Poetry and Prose”, was an occasion to enjoy some of the literary talents that Jamaica has to offer and “the diversity of forms and genres that we excel in as peoples of Caribbean heritage”.

Reading from their works were Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis; dub poet, Klyde Broxx; short-story writer Bernadette Dyer; and poet Mary Lou Soutar Hynes.

The authors took the audience on a literary and musical journey, observed Master of Ceremonies Neil Armstrong, who encouraged audience members to ask questions of the presenters.

The Consul General also expressed satisfaction at the interest being shown in the literary arts within the Jamaican/Caribbean community.

“This must be honed and developed to continue the fine tradition of distinguished literary talent of people of Caribbean heritage,” she said.

Cherita Girvan-Campbell, President of Arts and Culture Jamaica, said her group was in support of any event which showcases the arts and culture of Jamaica. “We were supporters of the first CCLE in 2003 and we are proud to be supporters this time around,” she said.

‘An Evening of Poetry and Prose’ was presented by the Jamaican Country Team of the CCLE and jointly sponsored by the Jamaican Consulate General, Arts and Culture Jamaica, and Burke’s Bookstore.