GREAT BAY (June 29, 2000)–Dutch newspapers recently cited the energetic recital of Lasana M. Sekou at the June 17 opening of the 31st Poetry International Festival (PIF) in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Immigration, independence for St. Martin, and Caribbean culture were the main topics covered by Sekou in his three performances. Of the 18 poetic readings opening what is considered the world’s largest poetry festival, NCR Handelsblad and De Volkskrant highlighted Sekou’s among the some seven poets that made the night of world class verse an exciting one–with references like “and then there was Lasana Sekou,” and “out of St. Martin came Lasana Sekou.”
On June 18, the St. Martin poet read the pro-independence poem “Freedom” on the Radio Rijnmond pop culture program “Gooi-Maar-In-Mijn-Pet-Show.” Dutch cultural icon J.A. Deelder was also a guest of the program and the festival. Sekou, impressed with Deelder’s work, took part in a translation project of the poet’s work.
A number of Sekou’s poems were translated and projected on the giant screen as he read at the Rotterdam City Theater, and his poem “We Self,” along with its Dutch translation, was published in the PIF journal and deposited at Philipsburg Jubilee Library. On June 21, he again read “Freedom” and selections from the books Mothernation andQuimbé. During Sekou’s interviews with the De Landelijke Allochtonenkrant and the Dutch radio world service TV news, the issue of independence for St. Martin–for which Sekou is a steadfast advocate–drew the most questions.
This year about 40 poets participated in the PIF, coming from throughout Europe, Africa, the Mid-East, Asia, and the Americas. Among the word smiths in attendance were Jevgeni Rijn (Russia), who delivered the opening address, Lev Berinkski (Israel), Biancamaria Frabotta (Italy), Anne Vegter (The Netherlands), who dedicated her one English reading to Sekou, John Leefmans (Surinam), Hsia Yu (Taiwan), and Charl-Pierre Naude (South Africa). There were also poetry slams for young Dutch poets and programs for school children and the handicapped. The well-organized PIF, a non-profit foundation headed by Tatjana Daan, concluded on June 23.