MARIGOT/GREAT BAY (May 3, 2005) — Popular recording poet Mutabaruka and award-wining author Kwame Dawes are participating in the 3rd annual St. Martin Book Fair, June 2 – 4, 2005, said Shujah Reiph.
The high-profiled Mutabaruka will conduct the Book Fair’s poetry workshop, “sharing his craft,” said Reiph, spokesman for the Book Fair Committee.
“Muta will also sign his new book, The Next Poems/The First Poems, for the book fair public.” The much sought after Jamaica poet just took part in Guadeloupe’s book fair.
Kwame Dawes will deliver the Book Fair’s opening address, based on this year’s theme, “The national book, a universal offering … ,” said Reiph.
Dawes, a distinguished poet and Bob Marley scholar, is the author or editor of 18 books of poetry, plays, short stories, essays and music and literary criticism.
Dr. Dawes will also address one of the book fair’s general sessions and workshop with high school teachers of literature and English. The professor of English at the University of South Carolina, USA, has seen produced some 15 of his plays in the Caribbean and Canada.
The St. Martin Book Fair will host some nine dynamic authors, poets, novelists, playwrights, scholars, and a movie/video game animator
“At least four of our invited authors will take part in book signings,” said Reiph. Dawes’ most recent books, I saw your face (poetry, 2005) and Bob Marley – Lyrical Genius (essays, lyrical criticism, 2002), would be available.
The St. Martin Book Fair opens on June 2, 2005 at the Maison des Entreprises (Chamber of Commerce Building) in Spring Concordia, Marigot.
The book exhibitions, sales, signings, and workshops will be at the University of St. Martin in Philipsburg, St. Martin, on June 3 and June 4.
The fair’s main book launch features The Angel Horn, the long awaited anthology of poems by the late Shake Keane of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). Keane is a national hero of SVG and one of the grand men of Caribbean literature. The book fair launch and closing ceremony will be held at Great Bay Beach Hotel on June 4.