PHILIPSBURG:--- Foundation 5 Square Miles St. Martin, Conscious Agricultural Awakening Foundation, The Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO, and the Philipsburg Jubilee Library (PJL) have joined forces this year to celebrate World Poetry Day.
This day, which is observed annually on March 21, was first announced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999 and is, according to the UNESCO website, meant to "promote linguistic diversity through poetic expression, encourage a return to the oral tradition of poetry recitals, promote the teaching of poetry, restore a dialogue between poetry and the other arts such as theatre, dance, music and painting, to support small publishers and create an attractive image of poetry in the media, so that the art of poetry will no longer be considered an outdated form of art, but one which enables society as a whole to regain and assert its identity."
The local commemoration of the day will start with a series of school visits from some of the islands poets during the morning hours of Friday, March 21, 2014. Later that day they will be an evening of poetry in the Philipsburg Jubilee Library's hall, under the theme "Cross-Generations: A Gathering of Soualiga's Poets". Audience members will be treated to original pieces of poetry from a mix of the young, up-and-coming poets of Soualigan Fyah including; Andrew Peterson, seasoned poets such as; Sumaiyah Tha Poet, Lucinda Audian, and Doran Joseph, as well as some of the elders of poetry including; Viviene Roberts, and Raymond Helligar. An open mic segment will be open to poets from the public from 7:30pm – 8:00pm.
"St. Maarten/St. Martin has a long history of poets and in the last 30 years or so published poets. Cross-Generations celebrates the vibrancy of this and pays homage to the older poets and our publishing outlet House of Nehesi Publishers by incorporating some poets published in its latest venture, the anthology 'Where I See The Sun.' At least one poet who will be presenting, Andrew Peterson, has a history of poetry in his family, with his father and grandfather writing poems in their days. It is important that we acknowledge the word of the written and spoken word on the island and the ability it has to transform things," Lysanne Charles, President of Foundation 5 Square Miles St. Martin and coordinator of the event, said.
On Saturday, March 22 a free Creative Writing and Performance Workshop will be held at the University of St. Martin from 9:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Facilitators for these workshops are former Minister of Education, Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, author and cultural activist, Fabian Badejo, and Clara Reyes, Co-Creative Director of the National Institute of the Arts (NIA). Members of the public wishing to participate in these free workshops are encouraged to sign up at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or to come out to the University of St. Martin, by no later than 9:00am.
Sponsors for these events include the Philipsburg Jubilee Library and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports & Youth Affairs.
The public is encouraged to come out and show their support for the island's poets and their poetry and spoken word.
