GREAT BAY/MARIGOT:--- Where I See The Sun – Contemporary Poetry in St. Martin, is a new book of poems by 25 poets and spoken word artists from both parts of the island, said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).
HNP will release the book on Thursday, May 30, at 8 pm, at the opening ceremony of the St. Martin Book Fair, at the Chamber of Commerce Building, Spring Concordia, Marigot.
"We are happy to see that the mostly new and young writers in this anthology are motivated and inviting their family and friends to come out Thursday evening and celebrate with them. The book fair organizers are also inviting all culture lovers to 'the book fair for the entire family,' as our guests and to welcome our visiting authors from abroad in that special St. Martin way," said Sample.
Where I See The Sun, edited by author Lasana M. Sekou, is the nation's first poetry anthology in 30 years. The poets and spoken word artists reflect varied backgrounds – senior published poets, a former labor leader, a teacher, a lawyer, but mainly young poets that have been very active reciting, slamming, and rapping at public recitals at Axum Café and in Simpson Bay and Marigot over the last 10 years.
Among the writers in Where I See The Sun, most of whom have never been published in a book before, are: Raymond Helligar, Drisana Deborah Jack, Changa Hickinson, Mariela Xue, Tamara Groeneveldt, Roland and Laura Richardson, Georges Cocks, Faizah Tabasamu (Rochelle Ward), Tadzio Bervoets, Lysanne Charles, Marianne Tefft, Fulbert Marcellin, Elehandro Fleming, Morena Ignacio, Jay B. Haviser, Patricia Chance-Duzant, Sjorensly Valies, Lucinda "La Rich" Audain, Jenice Forbes, Glenda York, Kimasha P. Williams, and Terry Daniel.
The soulful singer Mischu Laikah will represent her fellow poets by singing one of her poems from Where I See The Sun at the opening ceremony. With over 60 poems, the book also includes a cover photo and brief profile of each writer, a glossary of St. Martin words or writer-specific terms, a critical blurb by literary giant Kamau Brathwaite, and a comment by leading Bajan spoken word artist Adrian Green. In his introduction to the book Sekou explains why and how the collection was put together, said Sample.
The St. Martin Book Fair, from May 30 to June 1, 2013, "is the perfect place to launch such a book of creative writing by some of the best young poets on the scene today in St. Martin," said Shujah Reiph, book fair founder and coordinator.
The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau is the strategic partner of the literary festival. The University of St. Martin, the St. Martin Tourist Office, and the Collectivity of St. Martin (COM) are sponsors of the 11th edition of the St. Martin Book Fair. Award-winning graphic designer Prof. Carole Mauge-Lewis and Pasanggrahan Royal Guest House are contributors to book fair 2013, said Sample. HNP is a book fair co-organizer.
