GREAT BAY, ST. MARTIN (April 26, 2004) — It will not be known for the next few hours who will be crowned the Calypso monarch of St. Martin for 2004. But the new lyrical royal already has an unexpected prize waiting, said Shujah Reiph, host of Conscious Lyrics.
The popular radio magazine will offer the new monarch a special guest invitation to a high-powered workshop entitled “Writing the Kaiso.” The workshop will be conducted by Chalkdust, the Calypso King of Trinidad & Tobago (2004), at the 2nd annual St. Martin Book Fair, June 3-5, 2004, at the University of St. Martin.
According to Reiph, “We are looking forward to present the new calypso king of St. Martin’s 35th anniversary Carnival with this invitation.
“This will be the first time that a senior calypsonian of the caliber of Chalkdust will conduct such a workshop in St. Martin for the general public on the history, meaning, key developments, and writing of the Kaiso. The reigning St. Martin kaiso king would not only benefit but he will bring to the discussion the uniqueness of his work and of the St. Martin kaiso in general.”
Shujah said, “This exchange with Chalkdust, the legendary professor of the art form, will be a one-of-a-kind experience that will benefit all of the participants at the workshop, including our junior and senior calypsonians. And it is important that our calypso king will be there to represent the nation.”
While entry to the Book Fair will be free, there will be a registration fee for workshops on “Writing the Kaiso,” publishing, fashion, dance, storytelling, writing children’s literature, and other topic areas.
The master kaisonian Chalkdust will be among the world famous, regionally acclaimed, and St. Martin authors and scholars that will be launching and signing new books, addressing general sessions, and conducting workshops at the three-day book fair.
Around 1,000 people from throughout St. Martin and the neighboring islands attended the first St. Martin Book Fair held in Marigot in 2003, said Reiph.
The 2nd annual St. Martin Book Fair is organized Conscious Lyrics Foundation and House of Nehesi Publishers, in collaboration with the University of St. Martin. With the theme of “The History We Make …”, the fair is dedicated to the Haitian bicentennial.