A space to write: Tiwé Listwa retreat gives Saint Lucian storytellers room to grow

In a country where opportunities for writers are few and far between, the Listwa Collective has continued its efforts to create space for Saint Lucian storytellers to pause, learn, and create through its three-day Tiwé Listwa Writing Retreat, which wrapped up yesterday at the Balenbouche Estate.

Held from October 4 to 6, the all-expenses-paid retreat brought together ten writers from across the island for a weekend of facilitator-led discussions, activities, writing sessions, and reflection on both the craft and the power of storytelling.

“This is our biggest project to date,” said Listwa founder and creative director Amanie Mathurin, who, together with a team of Saint Lucians and through funding from the Commonwealth Foundation, spent nine months shaping the programme.

Facilitator sessions opened with Story Crafting 101 on day one. On day two, participants explored themes related to history, language, identity, and the publishing process, while the final day was devoted to reflecting on folklore and contemporary storytelling, ending with a closing ceremony.

Facilitators included Saint Lucian-British actor and author Paterson Joseph, esteemed writer and author McDonald Dixon, culture and creative arts visionary and owner of Moyra Media Drenia Frederick, political analyst and lecturer Rhyesa Joseph, and researcher and writer Dr Jolien Harmsen.

Jamaican poet, essayist, author and University of Miami professor Kei Miller joined as the retreat’s feature speaker. Mathurin described Miller’s work as “honest, vulnerable and bold,” noting that his writing “tackles real issues and hard conversations” — themes she was keen to highlight. She said she wanted Saint Lucian writers to reflect on how such openness can bring a sense of liberty to address topics often shrouded in shame and silence across the Caribbean.

“We also specifically wanted people to grasp that writing is more than just a pastime or a hobby, it’s something that can be used for advocacy, for example, or to contribute towards preserving history,” said Mathurin. 

For Petana Emilaire, the retreat’s youngest participant at 18 years old, the experience offered a chance to reflect on history and deepen her connection to local culture. According to Emilaire, she was particularly moved by the guided tour of the Balenbouche Estate and a session led by Drenia Frederick.

“When we spoke about folklore and myths — for me, when I write, I love to talk about myths and folklore — but I never realised how many different ones we had, how I could speak about the La Rose Festival in a different way, things like that,” she said. Emilaire explained that it was her aunt who encouraged her to apply for the retreat, an opportunity she’s grateful for, especially because it allowed her to grow alongside a creative community.

According to Mathurin, Tiwé Listwa is more than a workshop —it’s about building community and reinforcing the idea that creative work deserves time, focus, and shared space, something she herself sees as essential for any writer.

“There isn’t a strong focus in Saint Lucia on writing as a craft,” Mathurin said. “I’ve been writing for about ten years, and this is the first local writing workshop I’ve attended myself. For me, as someone who’s been searching for direction, inspiration, and instruction, this feels like an important starting point.”