News Release - Saint Martin | sxminfo.fr

Contact
Shujah Reiph
Book Fair Coordinator
(590) 690.30.73.66
Jacqueline Sample
[email protected]
P.O. Box 460
Philipsburg, St. Martin
Caribbean
Tel (721) 554-7089
E-mail: [email protected]
Offshore Editing Services
News Release
A book fair for the entire family …
St. Martin Book Fair Program

May 30 – June 1, 2013
Pre-Book Fair Activities
Monday, May 27
7 pm – 8:30 pm
Live Panel Discussion
“Celebrating 165 years of St. Martin’s Emancipation”
SOS Radio 95.9 FM
Panelists:
Fabian Badejo, author, journalist
Rudy Hyman, trade unionist
Claudette Labega, educator
Wednesday, May 29
7 pm – 8:30 pm
Book Presentation
The newly published book, Albert Beville alias Paul Niger will be introduced by its
author Wonal Selbonne. A discussion about the book’s subject areas will include why
there remains in Guadeloupe controversial allegations about the June 1962 plane
crash that took the life of political activist, poet, novelist and essayist Albert Beville,
also known as Paul Niger. Leading the discussion will be historian Jean-Pierre
Sainton, a professor at AUG-Martinique (Université des Antilles et de la Guyane).
by Wonal Selbonne, author (Guadeloupe)
by Jean-Pierre Sainton, professor, AUG (Guadeloupe))
Marigot Public Library
5 Rue du Palais de Justice, Marigot
Thursday, May 30
8 pm – 10 pm
Opening Ceremony
New Book Launch & Book Signings
Chamber of Commerce Building
Spring Concordia, Marigot
Welcome
Master of Ceremony, Hon. L. Mussington
Words of Welcome
Mr. Shujah Reiph
President, Conscious Lyrics Foundation
Ms. Annelies van den Assem, LL.M.
President, University of St. Martin
Hon. Sarah Wescott-Williams
Prime Minister of St. Maarten
Hon. Aline Hanson
President of the Collectivity of St. Martin
Poetic Recital
Mischu Laikah
Keynote Address
“The ‘medium and message’ Challenges of
Liberation Content in Contemporary Literature”
Randall Robinson
Bestselling Author, Foreign policy advocate
Professor, International human rights activist
St. Kitts-Nevis/USA
Featured Book Launch
Where I See The Sun
Contemporary Poetry in St. Martin
(A new anthology of 25 poets and spoken word artists)
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Heart beat of the mother as the first sound of the drum
The 11th Annual St. Martin Book Fair 2013 is declared open
• Book Fair exhibitions
• Authors present for book signings
• Reception. Refreshments served.
Friday, May 31
9 am – 12 noon
Meet the Writers
New writers on the scene and leading authors visit primary schools and high schools
throughout the island to discuss their work, experience with writing books, the value
of reading and literature with teachers and students.
2 pm – 3:30 pm
General Session I
University of St. Martin, Rm 202
The Writing Process
So you got a story to tell and now you want to be a writer? While this general session
is mainly for high school students—persons from the general public looking for easy
and expert writing tips are welcome to attend. The main idea of this extended
workshop is to help youngsters see how they might become involved with narrative
writing, what skills are needed, how does a writer go about his or her craft, what are
some of the challenges and rewards of writing. Dr. Chika Unigwe, the workshop
coordinator, may select a literary passage as a workshop text to show how a writer
develops an idea, character, atmosphere or an element of the plot.
by Chika Unigwe, PhD, novelist, award-winning author, literary critic
(Nigeria/Belgium)
4 pm – 5:30 pm
General Session II
University of St. Martin, Rm 202
The Future of St. Martin: My Perspective
Dedicated to the Memory of
Hugo Chavez (1954 – 2013) and Helmin Wiels (1958 – 2013)
A discussion with teenagers from high schools in St. Martin (North and South) about
the way they see the island’s future.
8 pm – 10 pm
Cultural Performance
Poetry and Prose Recital
An evening of literary readings by new and distinguished poets, novelists, and short
story writers, from St. Martin and around the world. The poets/authors may recite in
various languages.
Blue Martini Restaurant
63 Grand Case Boulevard, Grand Case
Admission free
Poets/Authors
Garfield Ellis (Canada/Jamaica)
Max Rippon (Guadeloupe)
Randall Robinson (St. Kitts-Nevis/USA)
Chika Unigwe (Nigeria/Belgium)
Judith Uyterlinde, (Netherlands)
Featuring poets from Where I See The Sun
Patricia Chance-Duzant
Georges Cocks
Terry Daniel
Raymond Helligar
Marianne Tefft
Rochelle Ward
Mariela Xue
Drum & Dance Interlude
Ti fèy la ka soné, drum group (St. Martin)
Marie-Héléna Laumuno, dancer, author (Guadeloupe)
Saturday, June 1
8 am – 4 pm
Book Fair exhibitions, book sales, book signings, workshops open to the public
Free admission
University of St. Martin (USM), Philipsburg
9 am – 1 pm
I – In the Children’s Room, Rm 101
Storytelling, games, songs and more. Ages: 4-12. Storytelling may be in various
languages. Special guest appearance, Papa Mpho, storyteller.
Coordinated by Robin Boasman, author, teacher
9 am – 10:30 am
II – The Creative Writing “Powershop,” Rm 103
This creative writing workshop will take the form of an abbreviated interactive
“powershop,” which is an intense creative writing master class. The powershop will
consist of a lecture, discussion, and one or two very short writing exercises.
by Garfield Ellis, novelist (Jamaica/Canada)
III – New Technologies for Better Learning & Tourism Marketing, Rm 107
In this interactive workshop the “practitioners” of a new tech savvy generation will
discuss and share with book fair-goers how new technologies, media apps, and
communication devices provide more beneficial learning and tourism marketing tools
in and for St. Martin’s homes, work places, and entertainment venues.
IV – Cervical Cancer & HPV Awareness, Rm 104
Cervical cancer occurs in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus or womb that opens
at the top of the vagina. The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection factors in the
development of over 90% of cervical cancer cases. What are the risk factors;
symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding; and misconceptions? With the
assistance of a doctor and workshop coordinator, the workshop provides key answers
to these questions and useful information about prevention and treatment.
by Keoma Hamer, founder, president, KeLaHa Projects (St. Martin)
V – The Sea In the Lives of Sabans, Rm 102
Sabans are among the few truly seafaring people in the Caribbean. How has the
experiences with the sea, that was once at the very heartbeat of Saba, forged and
continue to influence the island’s culture (including literature), history, and natural
environment. Leading Saban author and senior politician Will Johnson will discuss
unique aspects of the historical, cultural, and environmental relationship between the
Saban people and the sea.
by Hon. Will Johnson, author, historian (Saba)
VI – Gwoka as Popular Party Song and Political Protest, Rm 202
Gwoka (Gwo ka) is one of the most important song-music-dance forms of
Guadeloupe. In both its traditional and gwoka moderne forms it has a unique place in
the history of resistance and political engagement. Dancer and gwoka expert MarieHéléna Laumuno will focus on the findings of her gwoka history book about the role
of gwoka between 1960 and 1980—an intense period of revolutionary political action
in the territory; and explore how the singers of gwoka sing about the incidents of daily
life and seize the opportunity for a wider dissemination of messages through the
political protest song. The author can accommodate English, Kwéyòl and French
speakers attending the workshop.
by Marie-Héléna Laumuno, educator, dancer author (Guadeloupe)
10:35 am – 10:50 am
University of St. Martin (USM), Philipsburg
Coffee, tea, and pastries break
11 am – 12:30 noon
University of St. Martin (USM), Philipsburg
VII – Natural Hair Mixology: Make Your Hair Products at Home, Rm 202
This fascinating workshop will include product demonstrations and educational
information about rich island resources found in kitchens in St. Martin and in other
parts of the world. The co-founders of Don’t Break The Comb Foundation will
conduct the workshop.
by Taymer Mason, author, cuisine specialist, microbiologist (St. Martin/Barbados)
by Faizah Tabasamu (Rochelle Ward), poet, blogger, teacher (St. Martin)
VIII – The Life of a Book After It’s a Book, Rm 107
In this multimedia workshop, the international bestselling author talks about how to
give a second or more lives to a book: translations; film or video documentary;
producing a graphic novel. What are some practical obstacles writers face as the
publishing and TV industries are going through tough times in the Netherlands and
around the world? How did Judith Uyterlinde use the TV documentary and a graphic
novel based on her book, The Woman Who Says She Is My Mother, as creative ways
to reach new audiences?
by Judith Uyterlinde, author, novelist (The Netherlands).
IX – The Kaiso Workshop, Rm 103
How can kaisonians, and singers/musicians in general, organize themselves in
professional associations? How might the individual kaisonian organize and prepare
himself or herself to win the calypso crown? Former calypso queen Twiggy (Ann
Marie Parks Kojo) and a TUCO trustee will share her knowledge and experiences
with book fair-goers and fellow calypsonians. Leading kaiso expert Fernando Clark
will introduce Twiggy and give an overview of the history of the St. Martin kaiso.
by Twiggy, kaisonian, National Calypso Queen 2009 (Trinidad and Tobago)
by Fernando Clark, humorist, kaiso expert (St. Martin)
X – Wildlife Beats: The Rhythms of Nature in St. Martin, Rm 102
Biology, time, climate, weather and even people contribute to the polyrhythmic, everchanging song of life on the island of St. Martin. Harvard University graduate,
naturalist and author Mark Yokoyama explores these tempos and how they impact the
island’s unique fauna. From the daily changing of the guard between diurnal and
nocturnal animals, to seasonal rhythms between wet and dry seasons, the shorter
measures of this song are familiar to residents and visitors. Longer cycles, lasting
decades, centuries, or more often happen at an imperceptible pace, but also impact our
wildlife in many fascinating ways. A slideshow of the animals being discussed brings
this story to life.
by Mark Yokoyama, author, naturalist (St. Martin)
Lunch break
12:30 noon – 1:55 pm
2 pm – 3:30 pm
The Presidents Forum, Rm 202
Introduction
Annelies van den Assem, LL.M.
President, University of St. Martin
Rapporteur/moderator
Fabian Adekunle Badejo
21st Century Challenge: Reparations
In this symposium of the St. Martin Book Fair, Randall Robinson will read and
discuss passages from his powerful book, The Debt – What America Owes to
Blacks—and make general comments as to how the average person in the Caribbean
can become informed about or involved with the issue of Reparations.
Reading/Comments/Q&A/discussion format.
Speaker: Randall Robinson, bestselling author, foreign policy advocate, professor,
International human rights activist (St. Kitts-Nevis/USA)
8 pm – 10 pm
Main Book Launch & Book Fair Closing Ceremony
Belair Community Center
(across from the St. Maarten Medical Center)
Cay Hill
Welcome
Mistress of Ceremony, Kathy Rojas Garcia
NEW BOOK LAUNCHED:
Lizzy Lizard
by Robin Boasman
Children’s author, teacher (Sister Magda Primary School)
(A children’s adventure story that takes place in St. Martin’s busiest city.)
Guest Speaker
Garfield Ellis
Novelist (Jamaica/Canada)
Drum & Dance Performance
Presentation
The Presidents Award
Word of Thanks
Shujah Reiph
Coordinator
St. Martin Book Fair
Thank you for participating in the 11th Annual St. Martin Book Fair 2013
www.houseofnehesipublish.com