YouTubers of the Caribbean | Take 5
Caribbean content creators have been producing a range of video material on YouTube and other platforms, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers from around the world. Laura Dowrich recommends five of her favourites
Bridging the divide | Portfolio
This year, Caribbean artists will have their biggest ever presence at two of the world’s most significant contemporary art events — the Venice Biennale and documenta fifteen. Janine Mendes-Franco learns more
Ayanna Lloyd Banwo: opening the door | Snapshot
Ayanna Lloyd Banwo grew up surrounded by stories. Now, as the Trinidadian writer publishes her already acclaimed debut novel, she tells Shivanee Ramlochan how family and home have indelibly shaped her writing
Tonya Villafana: “I never worked so hard in my life” | Own words
T&T-born Tonya Villafana on her love for science, her work developing a COVID-19 vaccine at AstraZeneca, and keeping grounded in mid-pandemic — as told to Marvin Espinoza
Audrey & Maxime Jean-Baptiste: when images speak | Backstory
For sibling filmmakers Audrey and Maxime Jean-Baptiste, their family history in French Guiana and historic image archives were equally important sources for their latest film project. Jonathan Ali learns more
Maria Nuitter Espinal: “We want to keep the tradition alive” | Own words
Venezuelan Burroquite performer Maria Nuitter Espinal on keeping this traditional masquerade alive in her home country, and bringing it into Trinidad Carnival — as told to Raquel Vasquez La Roche
Alana Rajah: devoted to the dance | Backstory
Originating in south India almost two thousand years ago, Bharatanatyam, a major classical dance form, is little known in Trinidad, where most Indian cultural traditions are rooted in the north of the subcontinent. Alana Rajah has set out to change that. Trained at the Kalakshetra school in Chennai, her goal is to establish Bharatanatyam in her home country — adapting and improvising as needed. Sharda Patasar learns more
Canisia Lubrin: in the light of language | Closeup
Few Caribbean poets have enjoyed critical acclaim as sudden and early as St Lucia-born Canisia Lubrin. Her sophomore book The Dyzgraphxst has won a slew of awards, but, as Shivanee Ramlochan learns, Lubrin’s concern is not with the spotlight of fame, but with the luminous possibilities of language itself
