Authors Visit 10 BVI Schools to Launch 2026 Literary Festival

Starting next week, teams of local writers, college staff and volunteers will fan out across ten primary schools in the British Virgin Islands to introduce students to the joy of reading and storytelling.

The Big Read Roadshow runs October 5, 9 during Reading Is Fun Week. Participants include children's authors, faculty and students from H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, members of the BVI Lit Fest Organising Committee, and staff from law firm Ogier. They will conduct interactive read-aloud sessions and lead discussions aimed at building curiosity and fostering a lifelong connection to books.

Each school that hosts the roadshow will receive a donation of children's books for classroom and library use, extending the programme's impact beyond the visit itself.

The roadshow reflects a core belief among organisers: young readers benefit from encountering stories that feature their own communities and from meeting authors who share their backgrounds. Rochelle Smith, director of the Jennie N. Wheatley Institute for Virgin Islands Studies at HLSCC and a member of the festival's organising committee, said the initiative aims to unlock possibilities for every child. "The Big Read Roadshow is about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to experience the power of stories, connect with authors who look and sound like them, and understand that reading can open doors to limitless possibilities," Smith said.

Smith added that organisers wanted to begin preparations for the 2026 festival with the Territory's youngest readers, saying "we wanted to begin where every great story begins, with our young readers."

The roadshow serves as the opening event for BVI Lit Fest 2026, scheduled for November 5, 8 under the theme Mouth Open, Story Jump Out. Festival organisers say the school visits demonstrate their commitment to literacy and cultural engagement throughout the year, not just during the main festival dates.

Nicholas Brookes, a practice partner at Ogier in the BVI, framed the partnership as a model of collaborative community work. "We're proud to support a programme that encourages young people to discover the joy of books," Brookes said.