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Book Fair 2007 News Releases


The St. Martin Book Fair has been offering to the St. Martin people and our visitors three exciting days of Caribbean books, literature and cultural performances, and exhibition of educational and media tools, highlighted with:
Multilingual/multi-subject workshops (English, Kréyòl, Dutch, Spanish, Papiamentu, French).
• Book and multimedia exhibitions;
• Book launches and signings of newly published books.
• Well-known authors and scholars from around the world.

St. Martin Book Fair – “Writing Justice,” May 31 – June 2, 2007

GREAT BAY/MARIGOT, St. Martin—The 5th annual St. Martin Book Fair (May 31 –June 2, 2007) will open in Spring Concordia, Marigot at the Maison des Entreprises (Chamber of Commerce Building) on Thursday, May 31, at 8pm..

Most of the book fair workshops will be hosted in Great Bay (Philipsburg) at the University of St. Martin (USM) on Friday, June 1 and all day on Saturday, June 2.
Famous and new visiting writers will crisscross the island to primary and high schools. The cultural concert will be held in Cay Hill. The main book launch and closing ceremony will conclude the St. Martin Book Fair in Cupecoy, at the American University in the Caribbean, said book fair coordinator Shujah Reiph.

With its theme of “Writing Justice,” book fair 2007 will see over five new books released. Workshop topics will range from constitutional matters to death penalty issues, to one entitled “RasTafari as Image & Voice of Justice in Caribbean Literature,” said Reiph, who is also president of Conscious Lyrics Foundation (CLF).

The cultural night, which was such a hit in 2006, with poets reciting in their native language, will be repeated with readers from St. Martin, St. Lucia, Nigeria, France and the Bahamas—to name a few of the places where the authors are originating this year.

The standard favorites such as the ponum dance, the day-long “In the Children’s Room” (for ages 4 – 12), and the computer/Internet media workshops will return in style. Remember the massively popular celebrity hair-care workshop in 2006? There will be a different twist in 2007, by a French author who will use her book on hair and skin attitudes as the center piece of discussion, said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).

“The Book Fair Committee [BFC] will have its hands full with a record 18 workshops and general sessions.

“House of Nehesi is pushing the envelope to have five books ready for book signings and the main book launch, and we added more schools that will be visited by the writers,” said Reiph.

“As usual, we got the multi-lingual features as an aspect of the St. Martin culture, and the BFC is busy with plans to attract more people from all over the island to enjoy and benefit from this new book fair edition.

“This year, also for the first time, we were contacted by tourists, from New York and Puerto Rico, who are coming in especially for the St. Martin Book Fair. So news about this cultural event is growing at home and abroad,” said Reiph.
Visit www.houseofnehesipublish.com for St. Martin Book Fair 2007 updates. View Book Fair 2006 photos at www.consciouslyricsonline.com.

The St. Martin Book Fair is organized by CLF and HNP, both non-profit NGOs, in collaboration with USM. The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau is the major patron of the St. Martin Book Fair.


Great Salt Pond workshop at St. Martin Book Fair, full program on Internet


Rueben J. Thompson, project manager, Love the Lagoon Project, conducts environmental workshop on June 2, at St. Martin Book Fair.


GREAT BAY, St. Martin (May 12, 2007)—The condition of the Great Salt Pond and the Simpson Bay Lagoon will get a first class workshop treatment from Rueben J. Thompson, at the 5th annual St. Martin Book Fair (May 31-June 2, 2007).

According to book fair coordinator Shujah Reiph, the workshop by Thompson will take place on Saturday, June 2, at the University of St. Martin.

“The presentation by Rueben Thompson looks at the present state, future, and importance of St. Martin’s two major wetlands, the Great Salt Pond and the Simpson Bay Lagoon,” said Reiph.

There is also the possibility of a companion powerpoint and new video feature. The general public audience will be able to add to the workshop through discussion, said Reiph.

With the 2007 book fair theme of “Writing Justice,” “there is no way we could leave out the importance of St. Martin’s environment to our very cultural identity and economic livelihood now and in the future,” said Reiph.

Thompson, a leader among St. Martin’s new generation of environmentalists, is the project manager of Love the Lagoon Project, with the Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC).

He holds a Bachelors degree in Environmental Science and Management and has worked with the Nature Foundation.

The details of the Thompson workshop and his profile are now online at www.houseofnehesipublish.com/Bookfair07website/newsletter.html. “We uploaded the first newsletter of the St. Martin Book Fair on Sunday,” said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers. The newsletter can also be viewed through houseofnehesipublish.com.

The Internet newsletter of the St. Martin Book Fair includes, among other “goodies,” the full three-day book fair program of book signings, school visits, 18 workshops and general sessions for the general public, and the photos and profiles of participating authors and workshop coordinators from the island and abroad, said Sample.

“The Book Fair Committee is busy preparing for a fantastic event, a book fair for the entire family,” said Reiph.

“We welcome all of the St. Martin people to participate as one family and have a great time with us and our visitors.”


American University of the Caribbean, a patron of St. Martin Book Fair 2007


L-R: Dr. Bernard “Buz” Salafsky, Dean of Basic Medical Services,
Dr. Susan V. Atchley, Professor of Immunology and Director of
Community Services and External Affairs, Shujah Reiph, president of
Conscious Lyrics Foundation and Coordinator of the St. Martin Book Fair.

GREAT BAY, St. Martin (May 8, 2007)—The American University of the Caribbean – School of Medicine (AUC) is an arts patron for the 5th annual St. Martin Book Fair (May 31 – June 2), said Shujah Reiph, the book fair coordinator.

While much of the nation was gearing up for what became a successful Carnival 2007, Reiph was busy about the business of book fair 2007.

Reiph met at AUC with Dr. Bernard “Buz” Salafsky, Dean of Basic Medical Services, and Dr. Susan V. Atchley, Professor of Immunology and Director of Community Services and External Affairs in April 2007, about the possibilities of the university’s participation in the book fair.

AUC will sponsor the closing ceremony of the St. Martin Book Fair on Saturday, June 2, at its campus at #1 University at Jordan Road in Cupecoy (near Atlantis Casino), said Reiph. Each year, the closing ceremony is highlighted with the main book launch of a new book published in St. Martin.

“AUC has been generous in its offer. In fact, Dr. Atchley had expressed to me and to House of Nehesi before the interest of AUC to be involved with our community activities.

“I am really glad that we are able to work together on this book fair for the entire family,” said Reiph, who is also president of Conscious Lyrics Foundation (CLF).
“This is another example of unity for a good cause when we can involve the two universities in St. Martin.

“The idea and action of cultural unity, of one nation, is the same reason why we alternate the opening ceremony each year between both capitals of our island,” said Reiph. The opening ceremony of book fair 2007 takes place on Thursday, May 31, at the Chamber of Commerce Building (Maison des Entreprises) in Spring Concordia, Marigot.

The University of St. Martin (USM) in Philipsburg is home to the main book fair day (June 2) of workshops, general sessions, and the day-long children’s workshop of storytelling and one jewelry-making class.

CLF and House of Nehesi Publishers are the organizers of the St. Martin Book Fair, in collaboration with USM. Since 2004, the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau has been the main book fair sponsor.


St. Martin Minister Brooks writes book about AIDS and healing

GREAT BAY, St. Martin (May 7, 2007)—HIV/AIDS – A Christian Perspective of Healing for the Caribbean by Stéphane G. Brooks is scheduled for release here on May 31, 2007, said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).

The author of the slim volume is a St. Martin minister of the Methodist Church.
HIV/AIDS is one of five books scheduled for publication here for the 5th annual St. Martin Book Fair (May 31 – June 2). “Writing Justice” is the theme of book fair 2007.
HIV/AIDS – A Christian Perspective of Healing for the Caribbean is “a ‘wake-up’ call to the Church in the region in particular,” said George Mulrain, Connexional president of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas.

Using scientific and socio-economic facts, HIV+ interviewees, and bible stories about disease and healing, Brooks bravely goes where few church leaders in the region have gone in writing, said Sample.

As Mulrain puts it, the author “affirms that Christians in the Caribbean must be faithful to their missionary mandate.”

The book’s challenge and insightfulness may just be in how Brooks arrives at his position through scripture; culture; economic concerns; and taboos about what is considered “nasty” about certain sexual practices and mores in St. Martin, Barbados, Antigua, Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean, said Sample.

Min. Brooks takes a humble but potent message straight to the church as “a community” and not just to its leadership. The author is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and the United Theological College of the West Indies.

The book also focuses on “faith-based organizations … as healing congregations to the individual, the community and the nation” affected by HIV/AIDS, said Suzette Moses, program manager of the St. Maarten government HIV/AIDS Program.

HIV/AIDS – A Christian Perspective of Healing will be released by HNP at the book fair workshop “Healing Congregations – The Church and AIDS in St. Martin, in the Caribbean.” Min. Brooks will conduct the workshop at the University of St. Martin on May 31 (4 pm – 5:30 pm), said book fair coordinator Shujah Reiph.

According to Min. Brooks, he has ministered throughout the Caribbean to hundreds of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

The husband and father of three pastors the Guadeloupe mission of the Methodist church and coordinates the NGO Chrétiens et Sida (Christians and AIDS) in Guadeloupe. He is pursuing a masters in business management from ESSEC School of Management. Photo caption: Min. Stéphane G. Brooks writes book about AIDS and healing.
Rhoda Arrindell represents St. Martin writers at book fair 2007


Rhoda Arrindell (standing, R) next to librarian Ans Koolen during research
fieldtrip with participants of the Creative Writing Program, Philipsburg
Jubilee Library. (File photo/Saltwater Collection)

GREAT BAY, St. Martin (April 22, 2007)—Rhoda Arrindell will represent St. Martin writers at the 5th annual St. Martin Book Fair (May 31 –June 2, 2007), said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).

Arrindell is the editor of Brother Rich, Nana Sweetie – Creative Writing in St. Martin, a new book of stories that will be released at the book fair on May 31, 2007.

“We always try to have a St. Martin author represent the island’s writers among the roster of excellent participating authors from around the world,” said Sample.

“Brother Rich, Nana Sweetie includes 13 new and aspiring writers. As its editor I am honored to be selected by the book fair to represent St. Martin writers and books,” said Arrindell.

The writers in the anthology of mostly short stories and vignettes and a few poems, took part in the HNP Creative Writing Program in 2003. The writers range in age from under 20 to over 60.

“Brother Rich, Nana Sweetie is proof of creative thinking and writing skills developed in the writing course,” said Sample.

“It also gives a whole new set of people a chance to be in a book and share their original stories with St. Martin and a world of readers.”

Arrindell is the Language Division head at University of St. Martin (USM), where she lectures in English and literature. She is currently pursuing her doctorate.

5 new books in 3 days

A record five new books published in St. Martin will be released for the first time at the 5th annual St. Martin Book Fair, said book fair coordinator Shujah Reiph.

“This has never happened before. We are happy to offer this feature to the growing number of people attending the book fair from St. Martin and neighboring islands,” said Reiph.

“This year, also for the first time, we were contacted by tourists, from New York and Puerto Rico, who are coming in especially for the St. Martin Book Fair. So news about this cultural event is growing at home and abroad.”

The book fair opening ceremony will be held at the Maison des Entreprises (Chamber of Commerce Building) in Spring Concordia, Marigot. Each year the opening ceremony alternates between both capitals of the island.

The main fair day of book sales and workshops will be held at the USM campus in Great Bay (Philipsburg) on June 2. The 2007 book fair theme is “Writing Justice.”


Shujah Reiph awarded SGA Pelican Award

MARIGOT/Great Bay (April 8, 2007)
—Last week, Shujah Reiph, the president of Conscious Lyrics Foundation (CLF), was awarded the first Pelican Award by the University of St. Martin Student Government Association (SGA).

SGA created the Pelican Award in April to recognize St. Martin citizens for outstanding contribution to culture and community development, said Lenworth Wilson, Jr., the student government president.

“Shujah Reiph is our first recipient for his outstanding contribution in culture and community development for the past 15 years with the Conscious Lyrics Foundation,” said Wilson, Jr.

The award reception was held at the USM campus. Reiph said, “While we at Conscious Lyrics do not see our cultural contribution to the community as outstanding and in need of receiving an award, it brings a wonderful feeling to one’s heart to see that it is the younger generation who are appreciating our contribution.”

Reiph is currently busy with plans and seeking funds for the 5th annual St. Martin Book Fair (may 31 – June 2, 2007). He and the book fair committee, which includes USM students, hold weekly meetings at the USM campus.

“We still welcome volunteers and financial contributions from friends, sponsors, and patrons of the arts are vital for this cultural event, with which St. Martin could make another exciting name for itself in the Caribbean cultural, book, literature, and travel fields,” said Reiph.
St. Martin Book Fair Committee 2007 in high gear

GREAT BAY, St. Martin (March 26, 2007)—The St. Martin Book Fair Committee (BFC) has been meeting for a couple of weeks now and it is stepping up plans for the 5th annual St. Martin Book Fair, said book fair coordinator Shujah Reiph. With its theme of “Writing Justice,” the fair is scheduled for May 31 – June 2, 2007. A number of authors have already been confirmed, from one distinguished Harvard University scholar to noted Caribbean authors. Workshops will range from storytelling for children to banking in Marigot. In above photo, BFC members pose with Reiph at the University of St. Martin. (L-R): (standing) Leandra Edwards, Shujah Reiph, Lily Warning, Candyta Richardson, Conneir Thelwell, Merlyn Williams; (seated) Ari Sutton, Rochelle Ward, Lenworth Wilson, Jr. (CLF photo)


Welcome

Meet and talk with our St. Martin and visiting
authors, workshop coordinators and booksellers.
Enjoy exciting workshops, general sessions, book
buys and book signings throughout this three-
day book fair for the entire family ... at the
University of St. Martin, Maison des Enterprises,
Belair Health & Fitness Club, American University
of the Caribbean, and high schools throughout
St. Martin.

Sponsors:

Patrons of the Nation's Arts

Organizers:

Conscious Lyrics Foundation &
House of Nehesi Publishers
in collaboration with the University of St. Martin


Contact Information
Book Fair Coordinator
Shujah Reiph

Addresses
Conscious Lyrics foundations
P.O. Box 774
Philipsburg, St. Martin
Caribbean


House of Nehesi Publishers
P.O. Box 460
Philipsburg, St. Martin
Caribbean

Tel. (590.690) 30.73.66
Fax (599) 542.4435

consciouslyrics@yahoo.com
nehesi@sintmaarten.net
www.houseofnehesipublish.com

Links
St. Maarten Tourist Office
University of St. Maarten
Conscious Lyrics Foundation
House of Nehesi Publishers
Truly Caribbean
AVS News Online

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