Durrant Pate/Contributor

Jamaica’s Consulate General in Florida is hosting what is to be the inaugural Jamaica Brew Festival next week in celebration of the island’s arts and culture.

The event, which will be held next Saturday (January 20) at the West Broward Regional Library, situated at 8601 West Broward Boulevard in Plantation, Florida, promises a captivating array of book readings, Jamaican short films, and a delightful tasting of Jamaican coffee.

The one-day festival aims to immerse attendees in the rich tapestry of Jamaican creativity and heritage. The festival is open to the public, and admission is free.

Caribbean National Weekly (CNW) is reporting that a wide spectrum of literary and cinematic offerings awaits festival-goers, covering topics that encapsulate national pride, history, and cultural roots and development. 

Festival details

This planned diverse showcase is a collective effort by 10 accomplished authors and poets as well as six talented Jamaican film producers. In addition to the literary and cinematic treats, the Jamaica Brew Festival will feature the consumption of Jamaican coffee. 

This celebration of Jamaica’s Coffee Day, observed in Jamaica annually on January 9th, aims to benefit the local coffee industry and highlight the richness of Jamaican coffee.

Those in attendance will also have the chance to engage with the writers for book signings. This unique fusion of literature, film, and coffee promises to create an immersive cultural experience, uniting literary enthusiasts. 

The event is a collaborative effort between the Jamaican Consulate General and the West Broward Regional Library and will be presided over by Consul General Oliver Mair. For his part, Mair is excited at the event declaring, “this event promises to be a historic one where our writers and film producers will be celebrated.”   

Among the featured writers at the festival is the internationally renowned Jamaican writer and poet, Dr. Kei Miller.

Speaking with CNW, Consul General Mair expressed his hopes for the Jamaica Brew Festival, calling it the “first annual” celebration.” He believes it will lay the foundation for many more memorable cultural events in the future.