The Bermuda College is looking to the new Millennium with an ambitious project -- the second annual International Conference on Caribbean Literature.

The conference, held as part of the College's 25th anniversary celebrations, takes place at the Stonington Beach Hotel and runs from today through to Friday.

The conference was co-founded by Dr. Melvin B. Rahming, Professor of English at Morehouse in Atlanta, Georgia, and Dr. Jorge Roman-Lagunas, Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature at Purdue University in Chicago, Illinois. The first Morehouse-Perdue conference was held two years ago in the Bahamas.

They have since joined forces with Bermuda College co-ordinators Angela Barry, of the English Department and Co-Chair of International Conference on Caribbean Literature, Dr. Donald Peters, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs and Lynette Woods, co-chair of the ICCL steering committee, at the College.

ICCL plans to hold a series of 12 conferences over 12 years in French, English and Spanish, to be held in a Caribbean country.

Six will be held in the English-speaking countries of Bermuda, the Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Barbados and Jamaica.

Three will be held in Spanish-speaking countries of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

And three will be held in the French-speaking countries of Martinique, Haiti and Guadeloupe.

There has been a remarkable emergence of Caribbean literature over the past 20 to 30 years, not only in the Islands but in the rest of the world, said Dr.

Rahming. "The Caribbean is getting a very definite presence. This coming together of forces is, in fact, something we can look forward to.'' Dr. Peters explained: "The Conference's purpose is to provide an additional opportunity for global discussions by authors, scholars and critics of Caribbean literature and culture worldwide.'' He said it was also to: Add to the existing body of criticism; involve Caribbean nations in the discussion and promotion of their own literature as well as each others' literature and culture; and begin or continue academic linkages between various institutions.

The conference will be officially opened by Premier Jennifer Smith tomorrow evening starting at 8 p.m., with a reception to follow.

Internationally renowned Caribbean author Jan Crew will give the opening address.

In addition to the lectures, there will be numerous workshops highlighting aspects of Caribbean Literature and culture as it moves into the new Millennium and evolves from its post-colonial past.

"The term `post-colonial' is a term used to describe literature now,'' said Dr. Rahming. "It takes on a special significance when one begins to interpret Caribbean Literature.'' There is also a commitment to include the Bermudian community as much as possible, said Ms Barry: "There are events that are taking place through the week and we very much hope that as many people as possible take advantage of this.'' Registration, which took place last night at Stonington Beach Hotel, is $50 for the whole conference and $20 for a single day.

Local artists will be encouraged to display their work at an exhibition held throughout the week.

In addition to the academic aspect of the conference, there will be many cultural events taking place during the coming week. Beginning tonight at 8 p.m. there will be a film festival featuring Bermudian and Caribbean films.

Tomorrow, there will be a writers' night. Local authors will be invited to read their works at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium at CedarBridge Academy at 8.p.m.

Friday at the Ruth Seaton James Hall at 8 p.m. there will be a cultural exchange programme in which Caribbean musicians and dancers will be performing.

"There will be a special interest session entitled `Locating Bermuda on the Literary Map', paying particular attention to Bermudian slave Mary Prince.

There will be four speakers -- including two Bermudian scholars -- revisiting the history of Mary Prince, Ms Barry said.

"There is a growing awareness in Bermuda, although the awareness is already in place elsewhere,'' she said. "But in Bermuda there's a growing awareness of the significance of the history of Mary Prince and she is being given a special focus at that time.'' Caribbean focus: Dr. Melvin Rahming (from left), Professor of English at Morehouse College in Atlanta chats with associates; Dr. Donald C. Peters, Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs at Bermuda College; Angela Barry, Co-Chair of the International Conference on Caribbean Literature and English Lecturer at Bermuda College; and Mr. Jorge Roman-Lagunas, Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature at Purdue College in Chicago.

EDUCATION ED