Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
Pre--Book Fair Activities
Monday, May 30
6:30 pm – 8:30 pmPOETRY IS AN ISLANDA feature film premiere in St. Martin. The life and work of Nobel Prizewinner and poet Derek Walcott (St. Lucia). The film’s director/producer Ida Does (Suriname/ Netherlands) will be at the screening to discuss the film with the audience. Poetry is an Island begins promptly at 7 pm.Free admission.Place: Philipsburg Jubilee Library (next to Sundial School)Charles Voges Street, Philipsburg
Tuesday, May 31
7 pm – 8:30 pmPARENTS AND TEACHERS WORKSHOPPresenter: Dr. Umar Johnson (USA) The dynamic psychologist will explore and discuss traditional and modern parenting and teaching ideas, practices, models for rearing and educating today’s “globalized†child. Fundraising admission: $10 (limited seating)Place: University of St. Martin Philipsburg, St. Martin8 pm – 11 pm
THE POETS LOUNGEGuest poet: AnuMaat Davis Kahina (St. Croix/VI) Free admission.Place: Q Lounge (upstairs, McDonald’s restaurant), Simpson Bay
Wednesday, June 1
6 pm – 7:30 pmCUBA AFTER THE OBAMA VISITPedro Pérez-Sarduy (Cuba), in a current affairs discussion with business, tourism, and political leaders and representatives. Pedro Pérez-Sarduy is awell-traveled broadcast journalist, poet, novelist, and Cuban affairsconsultant in London, UK. Free admission.Place: Mr. K Cigar Lounge Sucker Garden Road (entrance to Guana Bay)
7 pm – 8 pmRadio Roundtable:SCIENCE, RESEARCH, AND LITERATUREFascinating facts, views, and approaches from authors and professors about the relationship between science, research, their own writing andcreative literature in general.Panelists: Dr. Valeria Grinberg Pa (Argentina/USA). Dr. Quince Duncan(Costa Rica). Dr. Rhoda Arrindell (St. Martin). Dr. ChenziRa Davis Kahina(St. Croix/VI)Moderator: Fabian Adekunle Badejo (St. Martin) Place: SOS Radio 95.9 FM
7:30 pm – 9 pmAUTHORS RECEPTIONMeet and greet. Visiting authors, St. Martin authors, representatives of the partners, patron, sponsors, organizers, and the Book Fair Committee of the14th edition of the St. Martin Book Fair. Special recital feature this year.
Book Fair Program
Thursday, June 2
9 am – 12 noon
MEET THE WRITERS I New writers and leading authors visit primary schools and secondary schools throughout the island to discuss their work, experience with writing books, and the value of creative thinking, reading, and literature with teachers and students.
6 pm – 7 pm
“PARENTS BEWARE†RADIO TALK SHOWGuest poets/author/activists: Fola Gadet (Martinique/Guadeloupe),Adrian Green (BarbadosI) Host: Lenny Mussington Place: Youth Radio 92.5 FM
8 pm – 10:30 pm
OPENING CEREMONY
Place: Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities, Pointe Blanche, St. Martin
WORDS OF WELCOME
Mr. Shujah Reiph President, Conscious Lyrics Foundation. Mrs. Jacqueline A. Sample President, House of Nehesi Publishers. Dr. Francio Guadeloupe President/Interim Dean of Academics, University of St. Martin. Hon. William Marlin Prime Minister of St. Martin (South). Hon. Aline Hanson President of St. Martin (North)
GUEST RECITAL
Adrian Green, poet, cultural activist (Barbados). Yvonne Denis-Rosario, poet, professor, UPR (Puerto Rico)
Keynote Address
DR. CAMILLE WARDROP ALLEYNE
Scientist, advanced aerospace and space technology development; Assistant Program Scientist for the International Space Station; has served in technical management roles at NASA and US Department of Defense; Founder, Brightest Stars Foundation (USA).
NEW BOOKS LAUNCHED
Featured book: Soualiga Catholica – The St. Martin of Tours Parish (1841 –2016) by Gerard van Veen (St. Martin)Introducing: The Verandah Poems by Jean “Binta†Breeze (UnitedKingdom/Jamaica)Book and video exhibition: GEBE Through The Years – Power To Serve(promotions for upcoming edition of title about the public utility’s history)Books available; authors on hand for autographs.
SPECIAL GUEST FEATURE
Living statues: Famous scientists down the ages
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY The 14th Annual St. Martin Book Fair 2016 is declared open. Book Fair exhibitions. All authors present for book signings. Reception. Refreshments served.
Friday, June 3
9 am – 11:30 am
MEET THE WRITERS II New writers and leading authors visit primary schools and high schools throughout the island, and the House of Detention, to discuss their work, experience with writing books, and the value of creative thinking, reading and literature.
8:30 am – 10:30 am
CREATIVE WRITING MASTER CLASS With Jean “Binta†Breeze, MBE, pioneer dub poet, literature instructor, author (United Kingdom/ Jamaica)
A unique opportunity to hone and significantly advance your creative writing skills and literature review knowledge, conducted by a world- famous master of the literary craft and spoken word genre.
Place: University of St. Martin, Rm 202
10:35 am – 10:50 am
Coffee, tea, and pastries break
University of St. Martin (USM), Philipsburg
11 am – 12:30 noon
I – SO YOU WROTE A BOOK ... NOW WHAT?
University of St. Martin, Rm 202
This workshop will address most frequently asked questions by authors, the acquisitions process of publishing and publicity and marketing strategies for new and seasoned authors and more!
Presenter: Yona Deshommes, publicist, Associate Director of Publicity AtriaBooks, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster (New York, USA)
2 pm – 4 pm
GENERAL SESSION I
“Word Up!†An exciting discussion about “what’s happening nowâ€â€” between important new-generation authors, hip hop and literary artists, peer counselor, and St. Martin teenagers and high school students.
Adrian Green, performance poet, cultural activist (Barbados). King Vers, singer, winner of Soca Rumble 2016 “Power category†(St. Martin). AnuMaat Davis Kahina, poet, peer councilor (St. Croix/VI). Fola Gadet, poet, hip hop artist, cultural activist, professor (Martinique/Guadeloupe)
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
LITERARY EVENING & PAN MUSIC
Lagoon Cruise Simpson Bay Lagoon, Simpson Bay
Poetry & 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.
Fundraising admission: $25 (Refreshments served)
Poets/Novelists/Authors Nalo Hopkinson (Canada), Lysanne Charles Arrindell (St. Martin), Benzo (Guadeloupe), Quince Duncan (Costa Rica), Michela Calderaro (Italy), Simone Schwarz-Bart (Guadeloupe), Pedro Pérez-Sarduy (Cuba), Jean “Binta†Breeze (United Kingdom/Jamaica), Doris Dumabin (Guadeloupe), Max Rippon (Marie Galante), Valeria Grinberg Pla (Argentina/USA), Nicole Cage (Martinique), Fola Gadet (Guadeloupe), Rita Celestine-Carty (Anguilla), Yvonne Denis-Rosario (Puerto Rico), Adrian Green (Barbados)
Pan Interlude
Isidore “Mighty Dow†York, pannist, kaisonian (St. Martin)
Saturday, June 4
8 am – 3:30 pm
MAIN BOOK FAIR EXHIBITION, BOOK SALES, BOOK SIGNING, WORKSHOPS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, ALL OPEN AND FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Place: University of St. Martin (USM) – Soualiga Boulevard 1, Philipsburg
9 am – 12:30 noon
II – IN THE CHILDREN’S ROOM University of St. Martin, Rm 105
Children’s Room activities will include storytelling, reading, the science of “the non-popping balloon,†special presentation of storybooks, and other fun activities. Ages: 4-12.
Guests: Garfield “Papa Umpho†Young, storyteller, teacher (St. Martin);Heddrick McBride, storyteller, author (USA)
Coordinator: Book Fair Committee
9 am – 10:30 am
III – THE SCIENCE OF FINE COOKING
University of St. Martin, “Under the Gazeboâ€
What happens when a world-class chef, an illustrious painter, and a fine art gallery director, who also writes poetry, get together to publish a book? You get to “... awaken your senses†with The TemptationRestaurant Cookbook – A Delectable Blend of Cuisine, Fine Art and Poetry with Dino Jagtiani, Roland Richardson, and Laura Richardson. Open your senses and the book fair morning with the inviting aroma and tasty foodbites prepared before your very own eyes by Chef Dino. Artist Roland and Poet Laura will welcome you and autograph your copy of the irresistible book of original food recipes, art, and poetry.
Presenters: Dino Jagtiani, chef/author (St. Martin). Roland Richardson, artist(St. Martin). Laura Richard-son, poet, gallery director (St. Martin).
IV – MAD MATH SKILLS!
University of St. Martin, Rm 102
This workshop is not just about “math made easy.†It’s also about how
math can be exciting, because from the most basic counting and “figuring it out†to the most complex calculations, we’re all using math every day.
Presenter: Roberto C. Arrindell, mathematics instructor, USM; education coordinator, St. Maarten Academy high school (St. Martin)
V – EVITA OF THE AMERICAS
University of St. Martin, Rm 104
Why does this dynamic first lady of Argentina still dazzle worlds of imagination? Selected English readings and interpretations from Eva Perón: cuerpo-género-nación, about the life and continuing fascination with Eva Perón. This workshop includes music and visuals and the presenter/author is bilingual.
Presenter: Valeria Grinberg Pla, cultural critic, author, associate professor, Bowling Green State University. (Argentina/USA)
PANEL DISCUSSION I:
Quo Vadis, Great Salt Pond? Future dreams and wishes
In poetry the historic Great Salt Pond has been called the “cradle of nation.†However, there are the general pollution, land filling, and the mountainous, growing garbage dump at its near center, a health hazard and sore sight of mental, spiritual, and cultural anguish for the St. Martin people (South and North). There have been plans and plans for plans and recycling garbage plants from successive governments. But has anyone ever gathered a group of St. Martin’s busiest environmentalists and heritage scientists, workers, and activists and asked them for their bestwish or vision for the future of the Great Salt Pond?
Panelists/authors: Tadzio Bervoets, environmentalist management (St. Martin). Jay B. Haviser, archeologist, author (St. Martin). Mark Yokoyama, environmentalist, author (St. Martin)
Moderator: Cindy Peters, university instructor, researcher; Book FairCommittee (St. Martin/USA)
VI – READING CARDS, PALMS, COWRIE SHELLS, “SIGNS,†COFFEE CUPS, OR CIGAR ASH – SPIRITUAL SCIENCE OR SCIENCE FICTION?
Mediums, spiritualists, psychics, herbal doctors, houngans, stigmata bearers, prophets, and seers are among a host of men and women who claim to “see†into unknown worlds and futures. As much as people who claim such “powers†and “science†have been hailed down the ages for their knowing and healing, they have also been hunted down for no good—or just marginalized to sideshows and secrecy. What is it really all about ... from their perspectives? In this bilingual (Spanish-English) workshop, the audience will hear about a Caribbean tradition of “reading†and “seeing†from one such seer, and get the opportunity to ask questions. (The reading for a volunteer may be possible.)
Presenter: Milady De la Cruz, folklorist; African heritage fashion designer;owner, Querubinas Full Fashion (Dominican Republic)
Translator (English/Spanish): Fabian Adekunle Badejo (St. Martin) VII – WRITING AND PERFORMING POETRY AND LITERARY CRITICISM University of St. Martin, Rm 107How do successful performance poets do it? What do literary critics look for in published poetry or any other literary genre? What happens when you put both an outspoken poet and a critic in one room to meet with writers, readers, and lovers of literature and books?
Presenters: Adrian Green, award-winning performance poet (Barbados).Rita Celestine-Carty, poet, literary critic, educator (Anguilla)
The Forensics Special
DIGITAL FORENSICS AND CYBER CRIME
Place: University of St. Martin, Rm 103
This digital forensics presentation looks at the actual and little-known-
about work in St. Martin: The prevention of victimization and the work of preventing people from engaging in unlawful activities on the Internet. The digital forensics experts will discuss among other aspects the investigative science of their work and its relationship to the use of social media in particular and the Internet in general.
Presenters: Paul Brown and Guzman Williams (St. Martin), digital forensics experts at the Forensics Department, St. Maarten Police (KPSM)
University of St. Martin, Philipsburg
VIII – WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND THE MAKING OF NATURAL HISTORY IN THE CARIBBEAN
Discover the fascinating, largely unknown stories of the incredible women and men who helped to build the scientific heritage of the Caribbean! The historical contributions of people of color and women to science have often been hidden, suppressed, or simply not as well publicized as those of their white male contemporaries—this unique multimedia presentation shines a light on the lost or unsung work of the women and people of color in the study of Caribbean natural history, from the late1400s to the early 1900s. Many of these trailblazers had to fight slavery, racism, and sexism, and risk perilous journeys, pirates, disease, anddangerous wildernesses to do what they loved; their real lives were more epic, adventurous, heartbreaking, and inspiring than any Hollywood movie.
Presenter: Jenn Yerkes, president, Les Fruits de Mer Association, co- curator, Amuseum Naturalis (St. Martin)
IX – ARE YOU PROTECTED YET?
University of St. Martin, Rm 103
This workshop, the third in a book fair series, is about protecting your intellectual and creative property. How to protect your writings, songs, and music. What if you self-publish a novel or poetry book, is your work protected in St. Martin, in the Eastern Caribbean states and territories,
internationally? What is the extent of intellectual property protection from the new copyright office in Philipsburg? Can a dancer, choreographer, fashion designer, cook, bartender who invents his or her own drinks, an educator who comes up with a new teaching model, or a hobbyist who invents a digital game, app, or scientific instrument apply for and receive copyright protection in the Caribbean? The presenters will also discuss briefly how the Berne Convention, Buenos Aires convention, and Universal copyright affect St. Martin, especially the South of the island.
Presenters: Ivenia Benjamin, senior magistrate, author, publisher (Dominica/Anguilla). Ayana Tyrell, an attorney-at-law (Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Anguilla Circuit), (St. Martin)
X – TIPS, TRUTHS, AND TOUCHY TOPICS – WRITING A BOOK ABOUT YOUR CHURCH HISTORY
University of St. Martin, Rm 107
The history of your community church is dear, even sacred to some. Now you want to write the first book or a new book about your church, its leaders, and congregations. Perhaps you want to write about generations of your own family members, the backbone and even founders of your church. You start to dig in the archives and interview elders. You’re finding facts and folklore about great kindness and caring. You’re also finding some troubling “stuff.†You’re told to “just leave that ‘paat’ alone now, nah.†Or, “You better just forget about that whole book business, you hear!?†What to do now? In this workshop you’ll hear how to “write on!†from a veteran church historian and former clergyman. His book, Soualiga Catholica – St. Martin of Tours Parish (1841 – 2016), is featured at the opening ceremony of Book Fair 2016.
Presenter: Gerard van Veen, church historian, columnist, author(St. Martin)
PANEL DISCUSSION II:
Today’s Images of Black People in the Literatures, Movies, and Songs of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean and Americas
Panelists: Dr. Quince Duncan, scholar, author (Costa Rica). Dr. Valeria Grinberg Pa, author, associate professor (Argentina/USA). Dr. Yvonne Denis-Rosario, poet, professor, (Puerto Rico)
Moderator: Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, linguist, educator, author (St. Martin)
XI – LET’S MAKE A MOVIE!
The ideas, the equipment, the script, the actors ... Lights! Camera! Action! Movie-making made easier-than-you-think is what this workshop is about. Also, pick up some do-it-yourself tips for short films, YouTube and music videos, family movies, and documentaries.
Presenter: Ayuk Ashu, founder/content producer, CANI TV; VideoMarketing Specialist (St. Martin/ Cameroon)
PANEL DISCUSSION III:
Sujet du débat : Dématérialisation de la consommation culturelle : Quel est le statut du livre papier à l’ère numérique?
Digitization of cultural consumption: What is the status of the paper or printed book in the digital age?
University of St. Martin, Rm 201
(Discussion languages: Kwéyòl, English, French)
Panelists: Simone Schwarz-Bart (Guadeloupe). Max Rippon (Marie- Galante). Nicole Cage (Martinique). Doris Dumabin (Guadeloupe)
Moderator: Lynda Letan, educator, Lycée Polyvalent Des Iles Du Nord(St. Martin)
12 noon – 1:30 pm
OPEN MIC POETRY
University of St. Martin, Gazebo
Fyah “Under the Gazebo†An out-door poetry reading by St. Martin’syoung poets and spoken word artists, and perhaps audience members, at the USM campus grounds. Last year a few leading international andregional guest authors found it irresistible not to throw their hat in the ring.Let’s see what happens this year.
Coordinator: Soualigan Fyah: Youth Poetry, MCs: Sjorensly R. R. Valies, Lysanne Charles Arrindell
LUNCH BREAK
12:30 noon – 1:55 am
2 pm – 3:30 pm
XII – CHANSONS ET MUSIQUES PEUT-ON TOUT DIRE?
Place: Médiathèque Territoriale
Rue J.L. Hamlet, Spring Concordia, Marigot
Quel est l’impact des paroles des chansons que nous écoutons? Peut-on tout dire aujourd’hui sous prétexte de liberté d’expression? Les médias doivent-ils tout diffuser?
Steve GADET, Chanteur de Hip-hop, écrivain, universitaire
PRESIDENTS FORUM:
The Symposium of the St. Martin Book Fair
Place: University of St. Martin, Rm 202 (Philipsburg)
“I will write a story and put myself in it, in this new worldâ€: What is the bonding relationship between imagination, culture and the process and act of literary creation and scientific invention? How will imaginative literature continue to influence science and how will science impact literary genres in making what is only imagined today “for real†tomorrow? How critical is the creative writer and the scientist in the speculative, pop culture, policy-maker, and futurist “narratives†that get told, heard, read, seen, and claimed as the futures to entertain or build humanity.
IntroductionDr. Francio GuadeloupePresident / Interim Dean of Academics University of St. Martin
CommentaryMs. Nalo Hopkinson (Canada/Jamaica)Award-winning science fiction writer, associate professor of CreativeWriting, University of California Riverside
DiscussantsDr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne (USA)Aerospace scientist; founder, Brightest Stars Foundation
Dr. Jay B. Haviser (St. Martin) Archeologist, author, director of SIMARC
Ms. Yona Deshommes (USA)Publicist, Associate Director of Publicity Atria Books, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster
Rapporteur/moderatorMrs. Jacqueline SampleCriminologist; art curator; president, House of Nehesi Publishers (USA/St. Martin)
8 pm – 10 pm
Main Book Launch & Book Fair Closing Ceremony
Place: Chamber of Commerce BuildingSpring Concordia, Marigot
New book launched:
Book of The Deadby Lasana M. SekouPoet, short story writer, essayist, author (St. Martin)
Guest SpeakerDr. Michela CalderaroComparative literature professor, author (Italy)
PresentationThe Presidents Award
WORD OF THANKSShujah Reiph, Coordinator, St. Martin Book Fair
Thank you for participating in the 14th Annual St. Martin Book Fair 2016
See more at the web page of the St. Martin Book Fair, June 2 – 4, 2016
http://houseofnehesipublish.com/sxm/st-martin-book-fair/