GPI Trustee Linton Kwesi Johnson was honoured to be invited to this year’s St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, which took place in the first week of May 2026. The Arts Festival is a relatively new addition to the long-standing Jazz Festival, featuring literature, art, talks and much more. Linton took part in three events for the Cultural Development Foundation.

Monday 4 May: Voices of the Underground at the National Cultural Centre, Castries

Linton headlined Voices of the Underground at the National Cultural Centre in Castries, reading alongside new and established St Lucian poets. They included Tito Adams, Vernel Alcide, Tia Christopher, Christa St Ange, Shyne Savory, Emile Williams and award winners from a national poetry competition. With readings in both English and Kreol, as well as some accompanied by music, it was a great evening. Linton’s reading and introductions to Black British history were well received by the audience, which included Sigrid Nama, partner of the late Nobel Laureate Sir Derek Walcott, and many government ministers.

Thursday 7 May:  Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Castries

Linton spoke to school students who came from all over St Lucia to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Castries (named after the country’s other Nobel Laureate). The event was organised by poet Gemma Weekes for the Art and the City 2026 programme. The St Lucia Times described Linton’s readings as ‘powerful’ and he also answered thought-provoking questions from the students about his work.

Saturday 9 May: Poetry masterclass at the Morne Fortune Museum & Art Gallery

Finally, a poetry masterclass – an in-conversation between Linton and veteran St Lucian poet and playwright Kendel Hippolyte – was held at the Morne Fortune Museum & Art Gallery. For two hours Linton and Kendel talked to poets from all over St Lucia, including Jane Hippolyte King, Macdonald Dixon and John Robert Lee among others. There was a deep dive into craft, activism, representation, Caribbean poetry and much more, which was appreciated by everyone at the session.

Linton wishes to thank everyone in St Lucia for the invitation and warm welcome he received for his very first readings there. In due course the full film of the in-conversation will be made available by the Cultural Development Foundation.

Learn more about Trustee Linton Kwesi Johnson and his honour by Goldsmiths University, London in January 2026.