October 7, 2022
Subject: New NIFCA Winning Words published
A transition from pre-pandemic to pandemic, that best describes the latest
edition of the book: ArtsEtc NIFCA [National Independence Festival of
Creative Arts] Winning Words Anthology 2019/2020.
Produced by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), the publication has
pieces which reflect the period just before the COVID-19 pandemic as well
as submissions made while we were battling the novel coronavirus.
Given that there was no NIFCA 2020, the edition provided a vehicle for
much of the writing created during that period. The publication captures
Barbadian life by writers across the island.
The anthology is usually produced coming out of the Literary Arts NIFCA
competition. ArtsEtc Inc. then curates the creative pieces.
Literary Officer Karra Price said this edition was special since it showed the
resilience of writers who, although they were battling the adverse effects of
the pandemic, still manage to create.
“The 2019/20 Winning Words Anthology was exciting to produce
because it highlighted the best of NIFCA 2019 and showcased the 2020
musings of our literary community all in one noteworthy text. The onset of
the pandemic meant that there was no NIFCA 2020, instead we were
forced to explore art in new and innovative ways.”
She continued: “The result was a selection of thought-provoking writings
taken from social media which reflected the pulse of the people. We are so
proud of this compilation and we look forward to sharing it with the
community.”
Linda M. Deane and Robert Edison Sandiford, co-editors, and
founders of ArtsEtc Inc. were pleased to be part of the 100 per cent
Bajan collection of writings.
resilience of writers who, although they were battling the adverse effects of
the pandemic, still manage to create.
“In The ArtsEtc NIFCA Winning Words Anthology 2019/2020, we get the
clearest sense yet – of all these NCF anthologies – of the power,
significance and preciousness (in a very good way) of Barbadian thought
and expression. We felt an increased duty to honour this in the reading,
editing, laying out, and general design of the publication.
“Winning Words 2019/2020, dealing as it does with the days just prior to
the COVID-19 pandemic and then our first year of lockdowns and
showdowns, stands strong alongside similar contemporary publications,
such as Chronicling the Days: Dispatches from a Pandemic,” the team
said.
The publication is patronised by lovers of Caribbean literature, literary
community, NIFCA patrons, Ebook readers, and the diaspora.
Copies of the anthology are on sale for $30 at the NCF, West Terrace, St
James. (PR)
