Local writers and artists will have a chance to network with a host internationally acclaimed scholars at one of the most significant academic conferences ever held in Bermuda.

The Second International Conference on Caribbean Literature (ICCL) will be held at the Bermuda College during the first week of November.

The first conference which was held last year in Nassau, Bahamas attracted about 300 scholars from all over the world and featured literary giants Rex Nettleford, Sylvia Wynter, and author Earl Lovelace whose works include The Dragon Can't Dance, The Wine of Astonishment and Salt which won the Booker Prize.

Professors Melvin Rahming from Morehouse College and Jorge Roman-Lagunas from Purdue University Calumet are directing the conference along with Bermuda College professor Angela Barry.

Both Dr. Roman-Lagunas and Dr. Rahming were on Island earlier this week and met with Premier Jennifer Smith, who has agreed to be the event's official patron.

In addition to the presentation of academic papers in three different languages, the conference will feature a local writer's night, book fair, and cultural extravaganza.

"Conferences provide a forum for scholars and teachers of literature to come together and discuss issues relevant to the literature, as a way of sharing ideas with each other, debating, and inspiring each other to greater heights of scholarship,'' said Dr. Rahming.

"It gives the Caribbean an opportunity to share its cultural and academic achievements with the rest of the world.

"Given the fact of our so-called "Third World'' existence, our literature has not been taken seriously... although (Kenyan writer) Ngugi wa Thiong'o has said that it's the most exiting literature to be produced in the last 30 years.

"When the idea of the Caribbean comes up, it's usually not in reference to its literature. Conferences like these, particularly this one in Bermuda, will go a long way in showing (the region) not only in reference to tourism and finance but also as places with history and culture, with the same joys and problems of other people all over the world.'' Dr. Rahming said they were attempting to secure Barbadian writer George Lamming as the keynote speaker for the upcoming event, as well as Maryse Conde and Kwadwo Agymah Kamu.

He added that the ICCL intend to publish selected papers from the conference as a way of increasing the scholarship available on Caribbean literature.

"The effect of this type of conference is really astonishing... it's a way for professors to say abreast of the latest developments of literature and culture,'' said Dr. Rahming.

Dr. Roman-Lagunas noted that the conference offered Bermuda the chance to participate in the presentation and exploration of its own culture and history.

Bermudian scholars interested in participating are encouraged (but not limited) to present papers on Mary Prince.

"This conference is the second year in a series of 12 -- the first was in Nassau, Bahamas and the next one will be in a French-speaking country, either Martinique or Guadeloupe,'' said Dr. Roman-Lagunas.

"It's also part of a larger project -- there's been an international conference on Central American literature which is now in its eighth year, and in the year 2000 there will be another series on conferences starting on South American literature.

"Morehouse and Purdue are hoping this conference will be the first of many joint ventures with Bermuda College, and we're hoping this partnership will create opportunities for exchanging students and professors to enhance each other's academic programmes.'' Bermuda College professor Angela Barry said the conference was significant for Bermuda on several different levels -- academically, culturally and professionally.

"Literature is a great vehicle for the transmission of culture, and this conference comes at an important time as Bermuda reinvents itself,'' she said.

"It's an opportunity for us as Bermudians to say something about our culture, and to feel not that `Bermuda is another world', but that we are part of a bigger group.

"The conference is significant on several levels -- it puts Bermuda College in touch with a whole network of academic institutions, it gives Bermuda College faculty the opportunity to hone their skills and introduces them to the most current ideas in literary theory and practice.

"On the Writer's Night, Bermudian writers will have the opportunity to read their work to a very wide audience. This particular aspect is very important because it puts local writers on a bigger stage, and puts them in contact with people from the Caribbean and North American.

"The Cultural Extravaganza will feature local dance and music, and provides the opportunity to showcase Bermudian artistic talent.

"The whole conference is an opportunity for exchange and development -- whether it's a Bermuda schoolchild or a writer of great prestige from abroad.'' Those interested in presenting papers at the conference are invited to submit a one-page abstract on any topic relevant to all areas of Caribbean Literature. The deadline for abstracts is May 28.

Abstracts on literature written in English should be sent to Dr. Rahming at email address mrahming ymorehouse.edu or faxed to (404) 525-6272.

Abstracts on literature written in French or Spanish should be sent to Dr.

Roman-Lagunas at email address roman ycalumet.purdue.edu or faxed to (219) 989-2165.

Cultural Connection: Professor Jorge Roman-Lagunas (left) from Purdue University Calumet and Professor Melvin Rahming from Morehouse College are directing a conference on Caribbean Literature to be held at Bermuda College in November.