The Jamaican Book Festival, cancelled due to Hurricane Melissa, has been officially rescheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
Launched in 2024 as a “festival of ideas,” the event celebrates literature, Caribbean culture, and the power of books to spark conversation and creativity.
The 2025 festival was originally set for October 23-26. While the storm was less severe on those specific dates, organizers made the precautionary decision to cancel all activities. Hurricane Melissa, which began as a tropical cyclone on October 21, ultimately became one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record.
In a social media update, the festival team stated, “Our focus now turns to recovery and hope.” As part of this effort, they plan to partner with schools in Western Jamaica to host a Mobile Book Fair, providing books, supplies, and bibliotherapy support to help the community rebuild.
The announcement also included two key updates:
1. Extended Deadline: The JBF Young Writers’ Prize deadline has been extended to November 19.
2. New Writing Project: A new JBF Writing Project will launch in January 2026. The resulting anthology will raise scholarship funds for students affected by the hurricane.
Further details about the 2026 festival will be announced later. For the latest news, you can follow the Jamaican Book Festival on Instagram.
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