Palaver is born

… new festival celebrates Caribbean literature, music, cuisine The province of Ontario last year saw the birth of a new multi-cultural event to celebrate literature and the arts. More than 240 persons gathered in Wasaga Beach over two days, August 8 and 9, 2015 to witness the Palaver International Literary Festival become reality. And, post-event […]

Rita M. Cox, D. Litt.C.M.

Rita M. Cox, D. Litt.C.M.

Story-teller par excellence for inaugural Palaver literary festival Known internationally as a gifted story-teller, Rita Cox is an educator, activist, pioneer, a leader and a patriot. She was made a member of the Order of Canada and, in 2000, was appointed a Citizenship Court Judge by the Government of Canada. Widely recognised and celebrated for […]

Rachel Manley confirms participation in Palaver 2015

Not many people will ever get close to a national hero. Larger than life figures whose selfless and brave deeds are generally accepted as foundational in the formation of a nation are not many. Few therefore are those who can claim direct lineage to a national hero and fewer yet who can claim being the […]

Most gifted chef for Palaver 2015

Most gifted chef for Palaver 2015 … to present sumptuous theme-brunch Aromas from the Great House Chef Selwyn Richard brings to the Palaver International Literary Festival the innate skills, passion, energy, creativity and schooling that have made him special. His Sunday theme-brunch ‘Aromas from the Great House”, August 9, 2015 at Beach Area 4 in […]

Dwayne Morgan brings spoken word to Palaver 2015

A spoken word artist for more than 20 years, Dwayne Morgan brings his work to the inaugural Palaver International Literary Festival in Wasaga Beach on August 8, 2015. Dwayne joins a number of other published writers appearing at the festival who will personally share their work, including Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis, Rachel Manley, Pam Mordecai, Olive […]

Ewart Walters

Ewart Walters confirms participation in the inaugural Palaver International Literary Festival Even before Ewart Walters’ last book came off the press, it was causing a sensation. Three former Jamaican Prime Ministers made negative comments about this book which they hadn’t yet read. The ex-Prime Ministers were not the only ones. Many were the comments among […]

Wasaga Beach Library Partners with Palaver

2015 May 23: The Wasaga Beach Public Library has formed an alliance with the Palaver International Literary Festival. The details of cooperation were discussed and agreed at a meeting at the library on May 21. The discussions included Chief Librarian Jackie Beaudin, Palaver Director, Michael Jarrett and the library’s Circulation Supervisor, Pamela Pal. The talks […]

Ernie Smith for Palaver Sing-along

Ernie Smith has confirmed his participation at the inaugural Palaver International Literary Festival, August 8 and 9, in Wasaga Beach, just north of Toronto, Ontario. The highly respected composer, lyricist and performer will headline the festival’s Saturday night event, Palaver Sing-along, to be held on stage at the Wasaga Beach RecPlex auditorium. The notable Jamaican […]

Pamela Mordecai

Pamela Mordecai confirms participation at Palaver 2015 After working on the publication of some twenty textbooks, producing five collections of poetry, five children’s books, an anthology of short stories, and a reference work on Jamaica (with her husband Martin), in addition to writing a play, El Numero Uno, which had its world premiere at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre in February 2010, […]

Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis

Owen Ellis confirms appearance at Palaver 2015 … to present Riddim & Riddles 2015 April 11: As Jamaica approached that significant moment in history, when it would end 450 years of European control that had left the majority in servitude and dependence, the people gathered renewed hope. They were however soon to learn that those […]