Joy Lawrence
Joy Lawrence is one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most prolific poets and activists in the literary arts. She is also a dramatist, historian and folklorist of significant renown.
Ms. Lawrence was born and grew up in the tiny agricultural village of Bethesda. She first showcased her talents in 1995 with a public performance of her poem, “An Interview with Hurricane Luis.” Trained as an educator, Ms. Lawrence taught at the elementary and secondary school levels. She then went on to the Antigua State College, where she was a senior lecturer and founder of the ASC/UNESCO annual poetry contest.
Ms. Lawrence was awarded the 2004 UNESCO Honour Award by the organization’s literary arts committee, for her contribution to literary arts in Antigua and Barbuda. In her book The Way We Talk and Other Antiguan Folkways, Ms Lawrence set out to document Antigua and Barbuda’s culture and history, even linking our unique linguistic idioms to Ewe, Twi and Fante – languages spoken in Ghana, Togo and Benin. Her determination to preserve our culture and history continues in her new book, Bethesda and Christian Hill our History & Culture.
Publications by Joy Lawrence include:
Bethesda and Christian Hill
Our History & Culture
“Ms. Lawrence has written a comprehensive and readable account of the villages of Bethesda and Christian Hill. Anyone interested in local history will find this informative book compelling reading. She has put on record our local history so that the young people of our nation will gain insight into their past.”
Sir James B. Carlisle GCMG, GCQS, KGN, KSt.J,BDS
Governor General, Antigua & Barbuda, 1995-2007
The Way We Talk
and other Antiguan Folkways
“Essential Antiguan Reading”
Life in Antigua & Barbuda 2006
Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association Magazine
Joy Lawrence’s books are available at:
The Art Loft, Best of Books, The Map Shop, Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, Curtain Bluff, Jolly Beach Hotel, Progress Music Shop
Literary Antigua