Bridging Dominica and Diaspora by way of Phrases …
In September, the Write-Tukubuli Digital Literary Competition lit up screens throughout the Caribbean and past, connecting Dominican and diaspora voices by way of storytelling, panels, workshops, and contests.
A Digital Dwelling for Dominican Expression
Organised by Waitukubuli Writers in partnership with the Piton Noire Collective, Nature Isle Literary Competition, and Domnichen Poetic Circle, Write-Tukubuli despatched a daring assertion: that an island’s literary life needn’t be constrained by geography. Over six days, the pageant leveraged social media and streaming platforms for the primary time ever to host writers’ workshops, podcast episodes, brief story and spoken phrase contests, #WriteTukubuli challenges (on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, and many others.), and reside panel discussions.
One of many pageant’s signature options was a every day “LitVibes” night livestream, that includes conversations on matters together with self-publishing, advertising, the way forward for storytelling, and the intersection of AI and artistic writing. The pageant culminated in a six-hour broadcast combining interviews, open mic classes, DJ units, and writer showcases.
Voices from Throughout the Diaspora
Write-Tukubuli invited each printed and rising writers to submit audio or visible excerpts of their work, or to affix reside panels and conversations. Over seventy writers from Dominica and the diaspora took half within the inaugural version, which gave the viewers a vigorous mix of voices, genres, and views.
The pageant staff describes its mission as “claiming area within the world literary dialog, digitally, boldly, and authentically.”  Via collaborations with Dominican media retailers (specifically TDN Community) and with widespread social media outreach, Write-Tukubuli goals to amplify native storytelling whereas strengthening connections with wider Caribbean and worldwide literary communities. 
Significance and Legacy
For Dominica, Write-Tukubuli arrives at an essential second. The island’s literary tradition is gaining extra consideration, and digital instruments make potential a attain that transcends borders. The pageant not solely spotlights Dominican expertise but in addition nurtures new voices in genres akin to speculative fiction, folklore, and hybrid writing types.
By streaming occasions and archiving them on YouTube, the pageant ensures that the conversations reside on properly after its scheduled days.  Extra importantly, Write-Tukubuli fashions a viable, accessible template for small islands to host vibrant literary gatherings which are world in attain however rooted in native identification.
Because the Caribbean literary world continues to evolve, this digital pageant is an invite to put in writing, to hear, to attach. For Dominica and its storytellers, it might be the beginning of a brand new chapter.
Watch pageant protection right here: https://www.youtube.com/@writetukubuli/movies
*Waitukubuli is the unique indigenous title for the island Dominica.