The year 2014 marks the Poetry Society of Jamaica’s 25th anniversary, signalling a new chapter in its commitment to continuing Jamaica’s literary legacy, and is being commemorated with a year-long celebration of literary excellence that will see it featuring guests each month who embody this mastery and have made noteworthy contributions to literature.
 
Since May 1989, the PSJ has hosted monthly poetry fellowships at the Edna Manley College and on Tuesday, January 28th, 2014, it will open its 25th year of fellowships and year-long celebration with literary stalwart Prof. Emeritus of English Edward Baugh as featured poet.
 
President Tommy Ricketts said of the 25th anniversary that it is essentially an expression of gratitude to the individuals whose commitment and work has cultivated our literary traditions as well as to those who continue to contribute and support its growth. “It is a celebration of the architects of literary excellence who have built this highway that has enabled this journey of 25 years”, he said.  He also noted that Baugh’s work has helped to shape the literary arena, and has provided guidance to successive generations and critical perspectives on our literary journey and traditions.              
 
Baugh is among the most prominent of literary figures in the Caribbean and has contributed to its wealth of knowledge through his 30 years as a teacher of English, his work as actor, literary critic and scholar, as well as his engaging poetry. His scholarly works include West Indian Poetry 1900-1970: A Study in Cultural Decolonisation (1971), Critics on Caribbean Literature (1978), Derek Walcott: Memory as Vision (1978), and an annotated edition of Walcott’s Another Life (2004), with Colbert Nepaulsingh. His poetry has also been widely published and collected in A Tale From the Rainforest (1988), It Was The Singing (2000) and most recently, Black Sand: New and Selected Poems (2013).
 
Fellowship Features:
• Poetry Open Mic & Discussion Segment
• Featured Works
• Featured Poets: Prof. Edward Baugh
• Books on sale by I-Nation Books & Necessities
• Refreshments: Benjie’s Yatties & Fruit Juices.