Well-known photographer Milton Pieters was one of the exhibitors at the Portraits and Poetry event.
MARIGOT–Those attending the Portraits and Poetry event held on Sunday, November 5, 2017, on the Marigot Waterfront, left feeling inspired and rejuvenated by the display of art, music and culture they experienced during the three-hour event.
Representing the Collectivité of French St. Martin was Vice-President of St. Martin Tourism Office Alex Pierre, who opened with a short address emphasising the contentment of the French Side being able to collaborate with their Dutch-side counterparts and the willingness to continue to work together in the future.
Following his speech, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Silveria Jacobs echoed the same sentiments and gave an insight into all the events leading up to St. Martin Day and what is in store for the people of St. Martin on November 11, 2017, which highlights unity of the people of St. Martin.
Artists from both sides of the island took to the stage and performed pieces that reflected not only the passing of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, but the resilience and strength of St. Martin people. Some poets also addressed the current situations happening on both sides of the island in their thought invoking poems.
Poets or performers included Lise Coats-Flanders, Dania Amacin, Jean-Marie Jackson, Sarina Alexander, Raymond Helligar, Melissa Fleming and Hellier. Sarina emerged best speaker during the debate held in the evening for her Spoken Word rendition.
The event had a mixture of poetry, singing, rapping and ended with an exuberant 20-minute poetry-in-motion piece that brought the audience to their feet. Local professional photographer Robin Pieters was also on site with a spectacular display of photography of St. Maarten before and after Hurricane Irma.
Master of Ceremonies (MC) and coordinator of the event Angelique Romou closed off the evening with a vote of thanks where a special thank you was given to Esdra Richardson of Poets Lounge who collaborated with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports in organising the events, as well as Melissa Fleming who created the Poetry in Motion piece.
This event formed part of the Road to St. Martin’s Day calendar of events. For this final week leading up to St. Martin’s Day, the emphasis will be placed on tree planting activities within the communities and schools on the island.
The Ministry also promises a spectacular St. Martin Day line-up and urges all citizens to keep their eyes and ears open as the team will be flooding the media with information. For more information regarding the 2017 St. Martin Day festivities contact Janelle Presentacion on weekdays at 520-1638 between the hours of 10:00am and 3:00pm or via email at [email protected]. Everyone is invited to visit the website www.sintmaartengov.org to view the programme of events for St. Martin Day 2017.
Poet Raymond Helligar and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Silveria Jacobs show off their dancing skills during a segment of the show on Sunday.
These young ladies were in no doubt about St. Martin’s future.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/70795-high-calibre-performances-at-portraits-and-poetry-event
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