Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 22, 2018 (SKNIS): The Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) in collaboration with the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO hosted an “Evening of Poetry” on March 21, at the Nathaniel John Hospitality Centre to celebrate World Poetry Day.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) commemorates World Poetry Day annually on March 21 as a means of capturing the creative spirit of the human mind and lends support to the linguistic diversity worldwide.
“This evening we are joining the rest of the world to mark World Poetry Day. It is often said that poetry is a skill we will use for our entire lifetime no matter what we end up doing professionally,” said CFBC Interim President, Mrs. Ionie Liburd-Willett, as she welcomed the 20 poets and other invited guests.
UNESCO proclaimed March 21 as World Poetry Day in 1999. This day is meant to encourage the oral traditions of poetry recitals, promote teaching of poetry, restore dialogue between poetry and other art forms, and to create an attractive image of poetry in the media.
The 20 poets, both from St. Kitts and Nevis, who performed their poems at the event were Vkell Edwards Douglas, Lesroy Williams, Chesley Manners, Jerry Webb, Kimi-Lee Knight, Kevin Meehan, Kennyate Tyson, Creighton Pencheon, Hanzel Manners, Christine Clarke, Klieon John, Meredith Warner, Edward Claxton, Ulrick Morton, P.Clayton Huggins, Jerry Webb, Carla Astaphan, Loughlin Tatem, Curtis Morton and James Galloway.
While expressing her love for poetry, the Chairperson for the evening, Ms. Delise Williams said that “here in the West Indies we have a substantial oral tradition of folktales, proverbs, poems, and songs.”
“We as a people have contributed tremendously to the literary world of poetry, she added.”
The event was organized by Mrs. Sonita Daniel, Director of Library Services at the CFBC.
