PHILIPSBURG:--- The 16th Annual St. Martin Book Fair, scheduled for June 1-2, has grown significantly to achieve the visionary goal of being a dynamic platform for books and information on and about St. Martin. In addition, this engaging event serves as a prime meeting place for networking and promoting the national literature of St. Martin, along with the literary cultures from around the Caribbean, and the world.
The Book Fair’s Opening Ceremony will be held on Friday, June 1st at 8:00PM at Motorworld’s state-of-the-art showroom in Colebay. The Ceremony will feature award-winning author Edwidge Danticat, and an interactive evening filled with literary activities. This includes book signings and readings by other well-known authors, live performances and complimentary refreshments, with select beverages sponsored by CC1. The Book Fair Opening event is free and open to the public.
“We are extremely proud to work along with Shujah Reiph and the Conscious Lyrics Foundation to host this major event,” says Rena Amjad, CEO, Motorworld group of companies. “As an avid reader, I am fully aware of the transformational power of words and books. We welcome everyone with open arms to join us at the Motorworld showroom and participate in this wonderful Opening Ceremony!”
“In this digital age of information exchange, the world still remains dependant on those who read and lead. The Book Fair also emphasizes the involvement of St. Martin authors, as well as culture and heritage experts among the distinguished list of workshop presenters and speakers. In addition, there is a meeting of the minds with intellectually-charged exchanges of literary dialogues among local and visiting stakeholders and counterparts,” shares Shujah Reiph, President of the Conscious Lyrics Foundation.
Included among this year’s featured literary giants are Earl Lovelace (Trinidad & Tobago), Ruel Johnson (Guyana), Sonia Williams (Barbados), Julien Merlon (Guadeloupe), Valerie Graves (USA), Lillita Johnson-Forbes (St. Martin/ USA), Nerissa Golden (Montserrat), Fabian Badejo (Nigeria/St. Martin).
The Main Book Fair Day will be held on Saturday, June 2nd from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM at the University of St. Martin (USM) in Philipsburg, followed by a literary evening and Closing Ceremony at Emilio’s Restaurant in Sentry Hill at 8:00 PM.
For further information, please log onto www.facebook.com/st.martin.bookfair or, contact Shujah Reiph at +590-690-30-7366.
