Program_booklet_BF16-2

A book fair for the entire family … 

recitals 

book parties 

general sessions 

book fair workshops 

In tribute to Mrs. Yvette Fleming-Hodge | 2016 | The 100th Birthday Celebration Year 

lcf 

FOUNDATION

lcf 

FOUNDATION

A book fair for the entire family … 

contents 

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Purpose and Objectives 

vision | Mission statement | objectives 

Messages 

mr. Shujah Reiph | mrs. Jacqueline sample 

Dr. Francio Guadeloupe | Hon. William Marlin 

hON. Aline Hanson 

Pre-Book Fair Activities 

may 30 - june 1, 2016 

Book Fair Program 

june 2 - 4, 2016 

Authors and Workshop Presenters 

The 14 th Annual St. Martin Book Fair 

Organized by Conscious Lyrics Foundation and House of Nehesi Publishers 

in collaboration with St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, University of St. Martin 

LCF Foundation, GEBE, SOS Radio, Collectivity of St. Martin, with 

Special feature sponsors Peridot Foundation, BK Martin Book Fund 

IrieLife, SXM Airport, Philipsburg Jubilee Library. 

lcf 

FOUNDATION

welcome | 14th Annual St.martin book fair 

Purpose and Objectives 

of the St. Martin Book Fair 

VISION 

To be the dynamic platform for books and 

information on and about St. Martin; establishing an 

eventful meeting place for the national literature of 

St. Martin and the literary cultures of the Caribbean; 

networking with literary cultures from around the 

world. 

MISSION STATEMENT 

To develop a marketplace for the multifaceted 

and multimedia exhibition and promotion of books, 

periodicals and publishing technologies and to 

facilitate St. Martin, Caribbean, and international 

exchange in these. To provide a meeting place 

for the exchange of ideas and information for 

all stakeholders in the literary industry through, 

workshops, seminars, reading, and cultural 

manifestations. 

OBJECTIVES 

• To support the right of the people of St. Martin to 

have full access to books, which are culturally and 

materially relevant to their reading needs. 

• To support the right to freedom of expression 

and the fullest possible exchange of ideas and 

information through books and other reading and 

knowledge-based materials. 

• To promote professional ethics and conduct and 

fair practice in St. Martin and Caribbean book and 

related industries. 

• To provide total customer satisfaction through 

personalized quality service to all St. Martin Book 

Fair participants and guests—in keeping with the 

“Friendly St. Martin” tradition and “Charismatically 

Caribbean” experience. 

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www.houseofnehesipublish.com | St. Martin Book fair 2016


It all begins with science. 

From the realities and 

theories about the 

“formation” of the earth and 

the presence of humankind, 

to the very process of 

arriving at an idea. 

“The Science of It” is, in 

my humble opinion, one 

of the most provocative 

themes ever chosen by the St. Martin Book Fair 

Committee (BFC). The theme challenged the BFC 

to fill out an exciting list of authors and workshop 

presenters. We had to include a scientist and a 

science fiction writer, and as St. Martiners we had to 

pick from the best sugar apple tree in the garden. 

We had to include workshops about the marvels 

and mysteries of science and the facts and fun of 

“it” that we could offer to the St. Martin people and 

our Book Fair visitors. So here we are, opening the St. 

Martin Book Fair 2016 with a world-class scientist who 

actually works on the project that has people living 

in space! And, we’ll open the last day of the Book 

Fair workshops in the Children’s Room with an activity 

called “the science of the non-popping balloon.” 

This weekend of activities will hopefully excite us 

all. Hopefully, it will increase interest among the 

next generation to get involved in the sciences, 

in invigorating social activities, and most of all to 

discover and re-discover literature and books from 

leading and upcoming authors from around the 

world. In science, no less than in the socio-cultural 

areas that the St. Martin Book Fair and its organizers 

have been promoting over the years, we are 

standing on the shoulders of all those midwives, bush 

doctors, house builders, cattle breeders, star-gazing 

farmers, hurricane weather-readers, thinkers that 

some people thought were crazy, inventors, that 

not only cared for our health and drove industry 

but arguably had more than we think to do with 

creating new opportunities for making the world a 

better place. This weekend we can look forward 

with great enthusiasm to hearing from NASA scientist 

Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne; to sharing future 

fantasy with science fiction author Nalo Hopkinson; 

to be enlightened about our Diaspora family in the 

Americas by the highly respected historian and 

novelist Dr. Quince Duncan; to gain new insights into 

our very own young and rising St. Martin literature by 

a senior literary scholar from Italy, Professor Michela 

Calderaro. We are going to be thrilled by the literary 

offerings from new generation masters, such as 

Adrian Green and Fola Gadet, and to sit at the feet 

of grand dames as Jean “Binta” Breeze and Simone 

Schwarz-Bart. What about the session for business 

leaders on “Cuba After the Obama Visit”? The 

workshop on “Mad Math Skills”? The bilingual book 

presentation about the original Diva, Evita Perón? 

And that’s just from the tip of “it”! 

The Book Fair Committee welcomes all of you, the 

friendly people of our beautiful island; visiting authors; 

presenters; and guests from near and far who have 

chosen to be part of the St. Martin Experience at the 

14 th Annual St. Martin Book Fair. Also, please feel free 

to contact the BFC, or contact me directly, about 

enhancing the book fair activities to make your 

participation in our literary festival a memorable one. 

Congratulations to all. Have a wonderful Book Fair 

weekend! 

Shujah Reiph 

Coordinator 

St. Martin Book Fair 

www.houseofnehesipublish.com |St. Martin Book fair 2016 5


A Word of Welcome 

The focus on science at this 

14 th Annual St. Martin Book 

Fair is not only necessary, 

but long overdue. The 

arbitrary separation of 

science and the arts defies 

logic by establishing a 

dichotomy that pits the 

one against the other as if they were irreconcilable 

enemies. Albert Einstein, a celebrated 20 th century 

scientist, identified a common denominator between 

the arts and science when he said, “The most beautiful 

experience we can have is (of) the mysterious. It is the 

fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true 

art and true science.” His preference was for the arts, 

when he stated that, “Imagination is more important 

than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination 

encircles the world.” 

In our time, it is surely with imagination and knowledge 

that humanity around the globe is pressing breathlessly 

into the 21 st century world of scientific marvels. But at 

the same time, what are we to make of the dogmatic 

rearing of not just a general anti-intellectualism, but 

also rapidly rising trumped up charges, clamoring 

against science itself? From countries devastated 

by the most advanced generations of weapons 

to nations that are yet at the very cutting edge of 

the modern “it” in science? As a St. Martin nation, 

as Caribbean people, we must be wary of this and 

flatly reject any dogma, or any bullying political 

correctness for that matter, which denies science and 

its disciplines, as much as any separation of science 

and the arts. We should also be wary of a science 

that is only “full of itself” and without compassion, 

without any moral compass in its vision and designs for 

humanity, for our Earth, its rich variety of life forms and 

life forces, for the planet itself and, thus, the universe in 

which it is a humble tenant. 

Let us also be more dedicated in linking our 

positive histories and cultures to the systematic 

encouragement of our boys and girls to take more 

interest in the study and making of science, instead of 

only the consumption or even the distrust of “it.” Many 

St. Martiners, Caribbean folk, are descendants from a 

continent of peoples who, hundreds and thousands of 

years ago, built pyramids in Egypt, charted the correct 

course of planets on the Dogon cliffs, performed 

cesarean sections in the Congo, carved churches into 

the rocky hills of Lalibela, and removed eye cataracts 

at the university of Timbuktu. Science does belong to 

all humanity, and we also carry it in our genes and in 

our ancestral memories, the very Ka and chemistry of 

“it.” We are undeniably more aware today that we 

come from a long lineage of scientists, of astronomers, 

agronomists, architects, mathematicians; of medical 

geniuses, metallurgists, and writers and philosophers. 

Welcome, therefore, to this book festival where we 

hope you will connect with the modern marvels and 

future dreams and reconnect with those ancestral 

memories, refresh them as a continuum of that 

tradition in which the arts and science have been 

happily married for millennia. To the authors and 

scientists that have come from far and near as family 

to celebrate the art and science of the book, of the 

literary genres, I wish you a wonderful experience of 

the mysterious that makes us both artists and scientists, 

griots and inventors. 

Jacqueline A. Sample 

President 

House of Nehesi Publishers 

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Dr. Francio Guadeloupe 

President / Interim Dean of Academics 

University of St. Martin 

We scarred yet songful souls who scratch and 

compose new world melodies into existence with 

our voices and pens, and these days our digital 

typewriters with additional features, don’t choose 

sides in the clash between science and religion. 

We know that besides Christianity and Islam and 

Judaism and … science too was engraved on 

the whips that made women and men weep and 

creep, rage and resist. 

a scent of Reverence is a summoning of a future 

rich with the best of the past in the present we are 

making. 

Perhaps this is the Science, Poetic all the way down, 

that ought to be our Common Faith! 

So we turn our backs to scientific and religious 

missionaries that would have us glorify one at the 

expense of the other in their current forms. 

Balancing on the tightrope of our historical situation 

we choose to remember Aimé Césaire’s call to 

Poetic Knowledge, a creative world-remaking act 

that the poet activists Lasana Sekou and Shujah 

Reiph invite us to perform annually during the St. 

Martin Book Fair. Science nurtured by the Arts with 



Hon. William Marlin 

Prime Minister 

St. Maarten 

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Aline Hanson 

Présidente 

Collectivité de 

Saint-Martin 

C’est un véritable honneur chaque année 

de saluer l’organisation du Book Fair, qui 

est devenu au fil du temps un événement 

littéraire majeur sur notre île, avec une belle 

résonnance chez nos voisins de la grande 

Caraïbe, qui apprécient la mise en lumière 

de nos auteurs. 

Depuis 14 ans, l’association Conscious Lyrics 

Foundation et la maison d’édition House of 

Nehesi Publisher joignent leurs énergies pour 

créer cette manifestation culturelle unique 

à Saint-Martin, et nous faire découvrir les 

ouvrages de talentueux écrivains venus du 

monde entier. 

La culture et plus particulièrement la lecture 

représentent une liberté incommensurable 

pour l’être humain, car elles lui donnent la 

possibilité de s’élever et de s’émanciper. 

C’est pourquoi j’invite l’ensemble de 

mes compatriotes saint-martinois, et 

particulièrement la jeune génération, à lire 

le plus possible, à s’intéresser à la littérature 

pour acquérir la connaissance. 

Je salue les organisateurs pour leur initiative 

et l’ensemble des auteurs qui participent 

à ce Book Fair 2016, car ce sont des 

événements de cette envergure qui 

poussent Saint-Martin vers le haut. 

Each year, it is a real honor for me to greet 

the organizers of the Book Fair, which has 

become over time a major literary event 

on our island. Today, the Book Fair is also 

appreciated throughout the Caribbean 

which houses a pool of talented writers. 

For 14 years the Conscious Lyrics Foundation 

and the House of Nehesi Publishers have 

joined their energies to create this unique 

cultural event in St. Martin, and introduce 

us to the works of writers from around the 

world. 

Culture and particularly reading, represents 

an immeasurable freedom to human 

beings, as it gives people the opportunity to 

rise and emancipate themselves. I therefore 

invite all of my fellow St-Martiners, especially 

the younger generation, to read as much 

as possible and be interested in literature to 

acquire knowledge. 

I commend the organizers for their 

commitment and I thank all the authors 

participating in this 2016 Book Fair. I am 

convinced that it is through such events that 

our territory can be uplifted. 



Launched at St. Martin Book Fair in 2015. 

In 2016, it’s a “Must read” selection by Vogue magazine. 

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Pre-Book Fair Activities 

Monday, May 30 

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm 

Poetry is an Island 

A feature film premiere in St. Martin. The life and 

work of Nobel Prize winner and poet Derek Walcott 

(St. Lucia). The film’s director/producer Ida Does 

(Suriname/ Netherlands) will be at the screening to 

discuss the film with the audience. Poetry is an Island 

begins promptly at 7 pm. 

Free admission. 

Place: Philipsburg Jubilee library 

(next to Sundial School) 

Charles Voges Street, Philipsburg 

Tuesday, May 31 

7 pm – 8:30 pm 

Parents and Teachers Workshop 

Presenter: Dr. Umar Johnson (USA) 

The dynamic psychologist will explore and discuss 

traditional and modern parenting and teaching 

ideas, practices, models for rearing and educating 

today’s “globalized” child. 

Fundraising admission: $10 (limited seating) 

Place: University of St. Martin 

Philipsburg, St. Martin 

8 pm – 11 pm 

The Poets Lounge 

Featured poet: AnuMaat Davis Kahina (St. Croix/VI) 

Special appearance: Pedro Pérez-Sarduy (Cuba) 


Place: Q Lounge (upstairs, McDonald’s restaurant) 

Simpson Bay 

Wednesday, June 1 

6 pm – 7:30 pm 

Cuba After the Obama Visit 

Pedro Pérez-Sarduy (Cuba), in a current affairs 

discussion with business, tourism, and political leaders 

and representatives. Pedro Pérez-Sarduy is a welltraveled 

broadcast journalist, poet, novelist, and 

Cuban affairs consultant in London, UK. 


Place: Mr. K Cigar Lounge 

Sucker Garden Road (entrance to Guana Bay) 

7 pm – 8 pm 

Radio Roundtable: 

Science, Research, and Literature 

Fascinating facts, views, and approaches from 

authors and professors about the relationship 

between science, research, their own 

writing and creative literature in general. 

Panelists: Dr. Valeria Grinberg Pa (Argentina/USA). 

Dr. Quince Duncan (Costa Rica). Dr. Rhoda Arrindell 

(St. Martin). Dr. ChenziRa Davis Kahina (St. Croix/VI) 

Moderator: Fabian Adekunle Badejo (St. Martin) 

Place: SOS Radio 95.9 FM 

7:30 pm – 9 pm 

Authors Reception 

Meet and greet. Visiting authors, St. Martin authors, 

representatives of the partners, patron, sponsors, 

organizers, and the Book Fair Committee of the 

14 th edition of the St. Martin Book Fair. Special recital 

feature this year. 












Thursday, June 2 

9 am – 12 noon 

Meet the Writers I 

New writers and leading authors visit primary 

schools and secondary schools throughout the 

island to discuss their work, experience with 

writing books, and the value of creative thinking, 

reading, and literature with teachers and 

students. 

6 pm – 7 pm 

“Parents Beware” radio talk show 

Guest poets/author/activists: Fola Gadet 

(Martinique/Guadeloupe). Adrian Green 

(Barbados) 

Host: Lenny Mussington 

Place: Youth Radio 92.5 FM 

8 pm – 10:30 pm 

Opening Ceremony 

Place: Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities 

Pointe Blanche, St. Martin 

Words of Welcome 

Mr. Shujah Reiph 

President, Conscious Lyrics Foundation 

Mrs. Jacqueline A. Sample 

President, House of Nehesi Publishers 


President/Interim Dean of Academics 


Hon. William Marlin 

Prime Minister of St. Maarten (St. Martin, South) 

Hon. Aline Hanson 

President of Saint-Martin (St. Martin, North) 

Guest Recital 

Adrian Green, poet, cultural activist (Barbados) 

Yvonne Denis-Rosario, poet, professor, UPR 

(Puerto Rico) 




Keynote Address 

Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne 

Scientist, advanced aerospace and space 

technology development; Assistant Program 

Scientist for the International Space Station; has 

served in technical management roles at NASA and 

US Department of Defense; Founder, Brightest Stars 

Foundation (USA). 

New Books Launched 

Featured book: Soualiga Catholica – The St. Martin 

of Tours Parish (1841 – 2016) 

by Gerard van Veen (St. Martin) 

Introducing: The Verandah Poems 

by Jean “Binta” Breeze (United Kingdom/Jamaica) 

Book and video exhibition: GEBE Through The Years 

– Power To Serve (promotions for upcoming edition 

of the title about the public utility’s history) 

Books available; authors on hand for autographs. 

Special guest feature 

Living statues: Famous scientists down the ages 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 

The 14 th Annual St. Martin Book Fair 2016 is declared 

open. Book Fair exhibitions. All authors present for 

book signing. Reception. Refreshments served. 

Friday, June 3 

9 am – 11:30 am 

Meet the Writers II 

New writers and leading authors visit primary 

schools and high schools throughout the island, 

and the House of Detention, to discuss their work, 

experience with writing books, and the value of 

creative thinking, reading and literature. 

8:30 am – 10:30 am 

Creative Writing Master Class 

With Jean “Binta” Breeze, MBE, pioneer dub poet, 

literature instructor, author (United Kingdom/ 

Jamaica) 

A unique opportunity to hone and significantly 

advance your creative writing skills and literature 

review knowledge, conducted by 

a world-famous master of the literary craft 

and spoken word genre. Free admission. 

Place: University of St. Martin, Rm 202 

10:35 am – 10:50 am 

Coffee, tea, and pastries break 

University of St. Martin (USM), Philipsburg 

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11 am – 12:30 noon 

I – So You Wrote a Book … Now What? 

University of St. Martin, Rm 202 

This workshop will address most frequently asked 

questions by authors, the acquisitions process of 

publishing and publicity and marketing strategies 

for new and seasoned authors and more! 

Presenter: Yona Deshommes, publicist, Associate 

Director of Publicity Atria Books, an Imprint of 

Simon & Schuster (New York, USA) 

2 pm – 4 pm 

General Session I 


“Word Up!” 

An exciting discussion about “what’s happening 

now”—between important new-generation 

authors, hip hop and literary artists, peer 

counselor, and St. Martin teenagers and high 

school students. 

Adrian Green, performance poet, cultural 

activist (Barbados). King Vers, singer, winner 

of Soca Rumble 2016 “Power category” 

(St. Martin). AnuMaat Davis Kahina, poet, peer 

councilor (St. Croix/VI). Fola Gadet, poet, hip 

hop artist, cultural activist, professor (Martinique/ 

Guadeloupe) 

7:30 pm – 10:30 pm 

Literary Evening & Pan MUSIC 

Lagoon Cruise 

Simpson Bay Lagoon, Simpson Bay 

Poetry & Prose Recital 

An evening of literary readings by new and 

distinguished poets, novelists, and short story 

writers, from St. Martin and around the world. The 

poets/authors may recite in various languages. 

Fundraising admission: $25 

(Refreshments served) 

Poets/Novelists/Authors 

Nalo Hopkinson (Canada) 

Lysanne Charles Arrindell (St. Martin) 

Benzo (Guadeloupe) 

Quince Duncan (Costa Rica) 

Michela Calderaro (Italy) 

Simone Schwarz-Bart (Guadeloupe) 

Pedro Pérez-Sarduy (Cuba) 

Jean “Binta” Breeze (United Kingdom/Jamaica) 

Doris Dumabin (Guadeloupe) 

Max Rippon (Marie Galante) 

Valeria Grinberg Pla (Argentina/USA) 

Nicole Cage (Martinique) 

Fola Gadet (Guadeloupe) 

Rita Celestine-Carty (Anguilla) 

Yvonne Denis-Rosario (Puerto Rico) 

Lasana M. Sekou (St. Martin) 

Adrian Green (Barbados) 

Pan Interlude 

Isidore “Mighty Dow” York, pannist, kaisonian 

(St. Martin) 



Saturday, June 4 

8 am – 3:30 pm 

Main Book Fair exhibition, book sales, book 

signing, workshops, panel discussions, all 

open and free to the public 

Place: University of St. Martin (USM) 

Soualiga Boulevard 1 

Philipsburg 

9 am – 12:30 noon 

II – In the Children’s Room 


Children’s Room activities will include storytelling, 

reading, the science of “the non-popping balloon,” 

special presentation of storybooks, and other fun 

activities. Ages: 4-12. 

Guests: Garfield “Papa Umpho” Young, storyteller, 

teacher (St. Martin). Heddrick McBride, storyteller, 

author, publisher (USA) 

Coordinator: Book Fair Committee 

9 am – 10:30 am 

III – The Science of Fine Cooking 

University of St. Martin, “Under the Gazebo” 

What happens when a world-class chef, an illustrious 

painter, and a fine art gallery director, who 

also writes poetry, get together to publish a book? 

You get to “… awaken your senses” with The 

Temptation Restaurant Cookbook – A Delectable 

Blend of Cuisine, Fine Art and Poetry with Dino 

Jagtiani, Roland Richardson, and Laura Richardson. 

Open your senses and the book fair morning with 

the inviting aroma and tasty food bites prepared 

before your very own eyes by Chef Dino. Artist 

Roland and Poet Laura will welcome you and autograph 

your copy of the irresistible book of original 

food recipes, art, and poetry. 

Presenters: Dino Jagtiani, chef/author (St. Martin). 

Roland Richardson, artist (St. Martin). Laura Richardson, 

poet, gallery director (St. Martin) (Laura’s 

poetry is also featured in the book Where I See The 

Sun – Contemporary Poetry in St. Martin). 

IV – Mad Math Skills! 


This workshop is not just about “math made easy.” 

It’s also about how math can be exciting! From 

the most basic counting and “figuring it out” to the 

most complex calculations, we’re all using math 

every day. 

Presenter: Roberto C. Arrindell, mathematics 

instructor, USM; education coordinator, St. Maarten 

Academy high school (St. Martin) 

V – Evita of the Americas 


Why does this dynamic first lady of Argentina still 

dazzle worlds of imagination? Selected English 

readings and interpretations from Eva Perón: 

cuerpo-género-nación, about the life and 

continuing fascination with Eva Perón. This workshop 

includes music and visuals and the presenter/author 

is bilingual. 

Presenter: Valeria Grinberg Pla, cultural critic, 

author, associate professor, Bowling Green State 

University (Argentina/USA) 

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Panel Discussion I: Quo Vadis, Great Salt Pond? 

Future dreams and wishes 


In poetry the historic Great Salt Pond has been 

called the “cradle of nation.” However, there 

are the general pollution, land filling, and the 

mountainous, growing garbage dump at its near 

center, a health hazard and sore sight of mental, 

spiritual, and cultural anguish for the St. Martin 

people (South and North). There have been plans 

and plans for plans and recycling garbage plants 

from successive governments. But has anyone 

ever gathered a group of St. Martin’s busiest 

environmentalists and heritage scientists, workers, 

and activists and asked them for their best wish or 

vision for the future of the Great Salt Pond? 

Panelists/authors: Tadzio Bervoets, environmentalist 

management (St. Martin). Jay B. 

Haviser, archeologist, author (St. Martin). Mark 

Yokoyama, environmentalist, author (St. Martin) 

Moderator: Cindy Peters, university instructor, 

researcher; Book Fair Committee (St. Martin/USA) 

VI – Reading cards, palms, cowrie shells, 

“signs,” coffee cups, or cigar ash – Spiritual 

science or Science fiction? 


Mediums, spiritualists, psychics, herbal doctors, 

houngans, stigmata bearers, prophets, and seers 

are among a host of men and women who claim 

to “see” into unknown worlds and futures. As 

much as people who claim such “powers” and 

“science” have been hailed down the ages for 

their knowing and healing, they have also been 

hunted down for no good—or just marginalized 

to sideshows and secrecy. What is it really all 

about … from their perspectives? In this bilingual 

(Spanish-English) workshop, the audience will 

hear about a Caribbean tradition of “reading” 

and “seeing” from one such seer, and get the 

opportunity to ask questions. (The reading for a 

volunteer may be possible.) 

Presenter: Milady de la Cruz, folklorist; African 

heritage fashion designer; owner, Querubinas Full 

Fashion (Dominican Republic). Translator (English/ 

Spanish): Fabian Adekunle Badejo (St. Martin) 

VII – Writing and Performing Poetry and 

Literary Criticism 


How do successful performance poets do it? 

What do literary critics look for in published poetry 

and other literary genres? What happens when 

you put both an outspoken poet and a critic in 

one room to meet with writers, readers, and lovers 

of literature and books? 

Presenters: Adrian Green, award-winning performance 

poet (Barbados). Rita Celestine-Carty, 

poet, literary critic, educator (Anguilla) 

10:35 am – 10:50 am 

Coffee, tea, and pastries break 

University of St. Martin, Philipsburg 



11 am – 12:30 noon 

viii – Women, People of Color, and the Making 

of Natural History in the Caribbean 


Discover the fascinating, largely unknown stories 

of the incredible women and men who helped 

to build the scientific heritage of the Caribbean! 

The historical contributions of people of color 

and women to science have often been hidden, 

suppressed, or simply not as well publicized as those 

of their white male contemporaries—this unique 

multimedia presentation shines a light on the lost or 

unsung work of the women and people of color in 

the study of Caribbean natural history, from the late 

1400s to the early 1900s. Many of these trailblazers 

had to fight slavery, racism, and sexism, and risk 

perilous journeys, pirates, disease, and dangerous 

wildernesses to do what they loved; their real lives 

were more epic, adventurous, heartbreaking, and 

inspiring than any Hollywood movie. 

Presenter: Jenn Yerkes, president, Les Fruits de 

Mer Association, co-curator, Amuseum Naturalis 

(St. Martin) 

IX – Are you protected yet? 


This workshop, the third in a book fair series, is about 

protecting your intellectual and creative property. 

How to protect your writings, songs, and music. 

What if you self-publish a novel or poetry book, is 

your work protected in St. Martin, in the Eastern 

Caribbean states and territories, internationally? 

What is the extent of intellectual property 

protection from the new copyright office (BIP SXM) 

in Philipsburg? Can a dancer, choreographer, 

fashion designer, cook, bartender who invents 

his or her own drinks, an educator who comes up 

with a new teaching model, or a hobbyist who 

invents a digital game, app, or scientific instrument 

apply for and receive copyright protection in 

the Caribbean? The presenters will also discuss 

briefly how the Berne Convention, Buenos Aires 

convention, and Universal copyright affect 

St. Martin, especially the South of the island. 

Presenters: Ivenia Benjamin, senior magistrate, 

author, publisher (Dominica/Anguilla). Ayana Tyrell, 

attorney-at-law (Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, 

Anguilla Circuit), (St. Martin) 

X – Tips, truths, and touchy topics – Writing a 

book about your church history 


The history of your community church is dear, even 

sacred to some. Now you want to write the first 

book or a new book about your church, its leaders, 

and congregations. Perhaps you want to write 

about generations of your own family members, 

the backbone and even founders of your church. 

You start to dig in the archives and interview 

elders. You’re finding facts and folklore about 

great kindness and caring. You’re also finding 

some troubling “stuff.” You’re told to “just leave 

that ‘paat’ alone now, nah.” Or, “You better just 

forget about that whole book business, you hear!?” 

What to do now? In this workshop you’ll hear how 

to “write on!” from a veteran church historian and 

former clergyman. His book, Soualiga Catholica 

– St. Martin of Tours Parish (1841 – 2016), is the 

featured title at St Martin Book Fair 2016. 

Presenter: Gerard van Veen, church historian, 

columnist, author (St. Martin) 

18 



Panel Discussion II: Today’s Images of Black 

People in the Literatures, Movies, and Songs of 

the Spanish-speaking Caribbean and Americas 


Panelists: Dr. Quince Duncan, scholar, author 

(Costa Rica). Dr. Valeria Grinberg Pa, author, 

associate professor (Argentina/USA). Dr. Yvonne 

Denis-Rosario, poet, professor, (Puerto Rico) 

Moderator: Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, linguist, educator, 

author (St. Martin) 

XI – Let’s Make a Movie! 


The ideas, the equipment, the script, the actors 

… Lights! Camera! Action! Movie-making made 

easier-than-you-think is what this workshop is 

about. Also, pick up some do-it-yourself tips for 

short films, YouTube and music videos, family 

movies, and documentaries. 

Presenter: Ayuk Ashu, founder/content producer, 

CANI TV; Video Marketing Specialist (St. Martin/ 

Cameroon) 

Panel Discussion III: Sujet du débat : 

Dématérialisation de la consommation 

culturelle : Quel est le statut du livre papier 

à l’ère numérique? | Digitization of cultural 

consumption: What is the status of the paper or 

printed book in the digital age? 


(Discussion languages: Kwéyòl, English, French) 

Panelists: Simone Schwarz-Bart (Guadeloupe). 

Max Rippon (Marie-Galante). Nicole Cage 

(Martinique). Doris Dumabin (Guadeloupe) 

Moderator: Lynda Letan, educator, Lycée 

Polyvalent Des Iles Du Nord (St. Martin) 

12 noon – 1:30 pm 

Open Mic Poetry 

University of St. Martin, Gazebo 

Fyah “Under the Gazebo” 

An out-door poetry reading by St. Martin’s young 

poets and spoken word artists, and perhaps 

audience members, at the USM campus grounds. 

Last year a few leading international and regional 

guest authors found it irresistible not to throw their 

hat in the ring. Let’s see what happens this year. 

Coordinator: Soualigan Fyah: Youth Poetry 

MCs: Sjorensly R. R. Valies. Lysanne Charles 

Arrindell 

Lunch break 

12:30 noon – 1:55 am 

The Forensics Special 

Saturday, June 4 

9 am – 10:30 am 

DIGITAL FORENSICS AND CYBER CRIME 

Place: University of St. Martin, Rm 103 

This digital forensics presentation looks at the 

actual and little-known-about work in St. Martin: 

The prevention of victimization and the work of 

preventing people from engaging in unlawful 

activities on the Internet. The digital forensics 

experts will discuss among other aspects the 

investigative science of their work and its 

relationship to the use of social media in particular 

and the Internet in general. 

Presenters: Paul Brown and Guzman Williams 

(St. Martin), digital forensics experts at the Forensics 

Department, St. Maarten Police (KPSM) 



2 pm – 3:30 pm 

XII – Chansons et musiques peut-on tout dire? 

Place: Médiathèque Territoriale 

Rue J.L. Hamlet, Spring Concordia, Marigot 

Quel est l’impact des paroles des chansons que 

nous écoutons? Peut-on tout dire aujourd’hui 

sous prétexte de liberté d’expression? Les médias 

doivent-ils tout diffuser? 

Steve GADET, Chanteur de Hip-hop, écrivain, 

universitaire 

2 pm – 3:30 pm 

Presidents Forum 

The Symposium of the St. Martin Book Fair 

Place: University of St. Martin, Rm 202 (Philipsburg) 

“I will write a story and put myself in it, in this new 

world”: What is the bonding relationship between 

imagination, culture and the process and act 

of literary creation and scientific invention? How 

will imaginative literature continue to influence 

science and how will science impact literary genres 

in making what is only imagined today “for real” 

tomorrow? How critical is the creative writer and 

the scientist in the speculative, pop culture, policymaker, 

and futurist “narratives” that get told, heard, 

read, seen, and claimed as the futures to entertain 

or build up humanity. 

Introduction 


President / Interim Dean of Academics 


Commentary 

Ms. Nalo Hopkinson (Canada/Jamaica) 

Award-winning science fiction writer, associate 

professor of creative writing, University of California 

Riverside 

Discussants 

Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne (USA), Aerospace 

scientist; founder, Brightest Stars Foundation. 

Dr. Jay B. Haviser (St. Martin), Archeologist, author, 

director of SIMARC. Ms. Yona Deshommes (USA), 

Publicist, Associate Director of Publicity Atria Books, 

an Imprint of Simon & Schuster 

Rapporteur/moderator 

Jacqueline Sample 

Criminologist; art curator; president, House of Nehesi 

Publishers (USA/St. Martin) 

8 pm – 10 pm 

Main Book Launch & Book Fair Closing Ceremony 

Chamber of Commerce Building | (new venue) 

Spring Concordia, Marigot 

New book launched: 

Book of The Dead 

by Lasana M. Sekou 

Poet, short story writer, essayist, author (St. Martin) 

Guest Speaker 

Dr. Michela Calderaro 

Comparative literature professor, author (Italy) 

Presentation 

The Presidents Award 

Word of Thanks 

Shujah Reiph, Coordinator, St. Martin Book Fair 

Thank you for participating in the 14 th Annual St. Martin Book Fair 2016 

20 




Rhoda Arrindell is a leading St. Martin linguist and educator. The former 

Humanities Division head at the University of St. Martin (USM) has taught 

courses in English composition and reading; Caribbean literature; and 

world literature. Dr. Arrindell served as the first minister to hold the portfolios 

of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs for the southern or Dutchcontrolled 

part of St. Martin after the territory obtained its adjusted 

“autonomous status” in 2010. She co-authored chapters in Agency in the Emergence of Creole 

Languages (Dr. Nicholas Faraclas, Ed.), edited Brother Rich ... , Creative Writing in St. Martin; and 

presents papers on linguistics and literature at international conferences. On May 18, 2016, Dr. 

Arrindell appeared before the Central Committee of the Parliament of St. Maarten with fellow 

members of the Independence for St. Martin Foundation (ISMF). She presented the ISMF position 

to the parliamentarians on why the territory should be placed back on the decolonization list of 

the United Nations. Dr. Arrindell is the owner of Source of Inspirational Learning (SoIL) and her book 

Language, Culture, and Identity in St. Martin was launched at the St. Martin Book Fair in 2014. www. 

houseofnehesipublish.com. 

Roberto C. Arrindell, M.A.Ed. (St. Martin), is a mathematics and education 

instructor at the University of St. Martin. He is the education coordinator at the 

St. Maarten Academy high school. The FAVE Board advisor and faculty advisor 

for the USM Student Government Association also paints and performs his 

poetry at The Poets Lounge.. 

Ayuk Ashu (St. Martin/Cameroon), founder/content producer, CANI TV; video 

marketing specialist. 




Fabian Adekunle Badejo is the author of Claude–A Portrait of Power and Salted 

Tongues–Modern Literature in St. Martin. His essay “Negritude in the Forgotten 

Territories: Lasana Mwanza Sekou and Aimé Césaire” appears in Negritude: Legacy 

and Present Relevance, edited by Isabelle Constant and Kahiudi C. Mabana. 

In 1982, Badejo coordinated the groundbreaking St. Maarten Festival of Arts & 

Culture (SMAFESTAC). He has produced concerts by kaisonian Mighty Dow and 

humorists Paul Keens Douglas and Fernando Clark. He has also directed plays and 

film documentaries and presented scholarly papers on St. Martin’s literature and 

culture at regional and international conferences. Between 1989 and 2005, the former Nigerian diplomat 

was managing director/editor, publisher, and news director respectively of The St. Maarten Guardian, St. 

Martin Business Week, and Today. Badejo is the producer/host of the long-running weekly radio magazine 

Culture Time on PJD2. 

Ivenia Benjamin (Dominica) is an attorney-at-law and author of Seeds of Sacrifice, 

Harvests of Faith and Seeds of Sacrifice Harvests of Faith, Journal. The former state 

attorney in the Attorney General’s chambers in Dominica has also worked as a 

prosecutor in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and as a magistrate 

in Dominica and other OECS islands. Benjamin is a founding member of the 

Emmanuel Publishing House in Dominica and conducts faith-based motivational 

seminars. Benjamin is the senior magistrate in Anguilla. 

Benzo (Guadeloupe), storyteller. 

22 




Tadzio Bervoets (St. Martin)is the manager of St. Maarten Nature Foundation, 

a leading conservation and environmental management organization for the 

territory. He holds a master of science degree in environment and resource 

management from the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam. Before taking up the 

current post on his “friendly island,” Bervoets worked in the environmental and 

marine fields in Bermuda, Tanzania, and St. Eustatius. He is the vice chairperson 

of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, an umbrella organization of nature 

parks management organizations of the remaining Dutch territories in the Caribbean region. The everbusy 

Bervoets strongly believes in teamwork when engaging the challenging business of environmental 

protection and management and is often inspired by travel, heritage, and literary culture. His poetry is 

found in the anthology Where I See the Sun–Contemporary Poetry in St. Martin. 

Jean “Binta” Breeze was born in 1956 in Jamaica. A graduate of the Jamaica 

School of Drama in 1978, between 1979 and 1981, she lived as a Rastafarian in 

the Clarendon hills. She has worked with the Jamaica Cultural Development 

Commission as a national coordinator for the literary arts. Following her first 

visit to London’s International Book Fair of Radical and Third World Books, 

Binta Breeze took up residence in the United Kingdom (since 1985), writing, 

performing, and teaching. In 1987, she earned a certificate in education at 

Garnett College, London. Binta Breeze has authored seven books of poems 

and stories, including Riddim Ravings and Other Poems, On the Edge of an Island, The Fifth Figure, Third 

World Girl:Selected Poems, and the 2016 collection The Verandah Poems. A noted dub poet who has 

been called a “one-woman festival,” Binta Breeze’s recordings include Riddim Ravings, Tracks, and 

Riding on de Riddim. She has presented her work in the Caribbean, North America, Europe, South 

East Asia, and Africa. Jean “Binta” Breeze is an honorary Creative Writing Fellow at the University of 

Leicester’s School of English. She was awarded an MBE in 2012. (Adapted for St. Martin Book Fair 2016 

from a bio-brief prepared by Mervyn Morris) 




Nicole Cage (Martinique),poet, novelist, journalist, Spanish teacher, 

psychotherapist. She speaks French, Creole, Spanish, and English. In 1996, Cage 

was awarded the prestigious Casa de las Américas prize for Arc-en-ciel, l’espoir, a 

collection of poems for children and young adults. Her novels and poetry books, 

which include L’Espagnole, Aime comme musique ou comme mourir d’aimer; 

Palabras de paz por tiempos de Guerra; Dèyé pawol sé lanmou/Par-delà les mots, 

l’amour–Poèmes bilingue, and Vole avec elle, have been published in Martinique, 

Venezuela, France, and the UK. Cage has performed her poetry, often accompanied by jazz, at literary 

festivals in Colombia, Romania, Mexico, Tunisia, El Salvador, Canada, and St. Martin. Her poems have 

been translated into Albanian, Arabic, Romanian, Macedonian, English, and Spanish. Awards include the 

OENEUMI Award (Macedonia), the Poetry Creativity Award (Lebanon), and the Prix Gros Sel for her novel 

C’est vole que je vole. 

Michela A. Calderaro (Italy) teaches English and postcolonial literature at the 

University of Trieste, University of Venice and New School for Social Research, 

NYC, as well as English Composition at New York University. She was an associate 

editor of Calabash—A Journal of Caribbean Arts and Letters for 10 years, during 

which time she headed of its book reviews section. Dr. Calderaro was also the 

editor of the Ford Madox Ford Newsletter (1999-2006). Awards and grants include 

Fulbright travel and publication grants, NYU Expository Writing Fellowship, Italian 

National Research Council grants, and a Travel-to-Collection grant by Tulsa Studies 

in Women’s Literature (University of Tulsa, USA). Dr. Calderaro has participated in literary events such as 

Poetry Vicenza, the conference series New Languages for the New Writers in English at the universities of 

Padua and Trieste. Membership organizations include the Italian Association for the Study of Cultures and 

Literatures in English (AISCLI) and the European Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language 

Studies (EACLAS). Her critical works include a book on Ford Madox Ford, considered a fundamental 

reading for the Modernist literary period; numerous articles on British, American, and Anglophone 

Caribbean writers; and a series of interviews with major Caribbean poets. Dr. Calderaro is working on a 

biography of Eliot Bliss, the “Creole writer” from Jamaica, and has edited a unique collection of Bliss’s 

unpublished poems, Spring Evenings in Sterling Street. The Amazon Kindle edition of the Bliss collection 

edited by Michela Calderaro is available for a free download for guests of the St. Martin Book Fair, from 

May 31 – June 4, 2016, at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T6UA3V6. 

24 




Née en Guadeloupe, Stéphanie Caliste Manette est originaire de la commune 

de Morne-à-l’Eau. Suite à un Baccalauréat littéraire, elle part étudier en 

France métropolitaine mais des raisons de santé la poussent à terminer ses 

études en Martinique où elle décroche son diplôme d’état d’assistante de 

service social en 2007. En 2008, elle obtient son premier poste d’assistante de 

service social au collège de Marigot sur l’île de Saint-Martin et ce durant deux 

ans. Stéphanie Caliste Manette décide par la suite d’aider les jeunes et les 

adultes dans le cadre de la formation continue. Conseillère d’insertion sociale et professionnelle elle 

accompagne des personnes mobilisées vers l’emploi. Parallèlement elle est conseillère en bien-être. 

Mère de famille elle vit à Saint-Martin.. 

Rita Celestine-Carty is an educator and poet whose poems are featured in 

the new anthology Where I See the Sun–Contemporary Poetry in Anguilla. Foxy 

Delights, her first collection of poems and short stories, was published in Anguilla 

by Anne Edwards in 1983. Celestine-Carty wrote the introduction to Illegal Truth 

(1991), the debut collection by the St. Martin poet Ras Changa. She obtained 

an MA in French Caribbean literature from the Université des Antilles-Guyane 

in 1992. Rita was a featured poet at the Anguilla Literary Festival in 2013. She 

teaches at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and is a facilitator of teacher education 

courses at the Anguilla Community College. 

Lysanne Charles Arrindell obtained a master degree in cultural anthropology 

(migration and ethnic studies) and in sociology (gender sexuality and society), 

both from the University of Amsterdam. Charles is a policy advisor for social 

development at the Ministry of Health, Social Development, and Labor 

in St. Martin. She has performed her poetry in the highly successful Imbali 

productions: In the Company of Women (2004), Vagina Monologues St. 

Maarten (2008), and Boudoir Secrets (2010). Her own 5 Square Miles Productions has organized the 

island’s spoken word series Summer Speaks and Winter’s Words in which she reads. Charles Arrindell 

has recited her poetry at Crossing the Seas International Literary Festival; Greenlight at Axum café; and 

Microphone Messenjah in Tortola. Her poetry has appeared in the Journal of Lesbian Studies, World 




Poetry Movement, and the anthology Where I See the Sun–Contemporary Poetry in St. Martin. Charles 

Arrindell’s Souligan Fyah: Youth Poetry has been coordinating the Open Mic at the St. Martin Book Fair for 

about two years. 

AnuMaat Davis Kahina (St. Croix, VI) is poet, inspirational speaker, certified peer 

counselor, and new media artist. A former Miss St. Croix (2014-2015), and also 

known as Queen AnuMaat, the 22-year-old is the co-founder and lead facilitator 

of NUWOMANRising 2LIVEUP©, a global youth cultural wellness organization. 

Her motivational presentations have been taken throughout the Virgin Islands/ 

Caribbean, the USA, and Kmt (Egypt). Davis Kahina’s award-winning spoken word 

poem “Live Up My People” airs as the longest media campaign for peace in the 

Virgin Islands (US). The graduate of Per Ankh Khamniversity Institute is completing 

university research studies in Educational Media Technology and Social Justice. 

NswtMwt (pronounced nay-soot-moot) Chenzira Davis Kahina is a cultural 

ethnographer, educator, artist, naturopathic therapist, and ordained priestess. 

She completed studies in educational technology, English, communication, and 

natural health therapeutics at Rutgers University, Pepperdine University, University of 

California, and the Natural Health Institute. Davis Kahina is an author of the essays, 

commentaries, and poetry collection Listening to Ancestral Wisdom: Sacred Conch 

Shell Inspirations (2004). She’s the co-founder of Per Ankh (House of Life)—an NGO 

with UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status (CHATS4LIFE© of Smai Tawi). The interim executive council 

representative of the Caribbean Pan African Network is also the artistic director of Per Ankh Bamboula 

Drummers and Dancers. Chenzira Davis Kahina is the director of the Virgin Islands Caribbean Cultural 

Center (VICCC), “nestled within” the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the Center for the 

Study of Spirituality and Professionalism at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). ). 

26 




Milady de la Cruz (Dominican Republic), folklorist; son music conservationist; 

African heritage fashion designer; owner, Querubinas Full Fashion (Dominican 

Republic). 

Yvonne Denis-Rosario (Puerto Rico, 1967), poeta, narradora, investigadora 

y profesora en la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Río Piedras. Su 

trayectoria literaria ha dejado ineludibles huellas. Premiada nacional e 

internacionalmente en cuento, novela y poesía. Es autora del libro de 

cuentos premiado Capá prieto (2009) Historias de afrodescendientes y de 

la novela Bufé (2012). Delirio entrelazado (2015) es su primer poemario y su 

primera edición ya está agotada. Es una de las egresadas distinguidas de la maestría en creación 

literaria de la Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. Así como del Centro de Estudios Avanzados de 

Puerto Rico y del Caribe donde completó sus estudios doctorales. Presidió el PEN Club de Puerto Rico, 

Inc. y en la actualidad es miembro de la Junta del Instituto de Literatura Puertorriqueña. 

Yona Deshommes (USA) began her professional career in education as an 

academic coordinator at a residential treatment center, where she created 

and facilitated a number of cultural and educational programs for at risk 

youth from the juvenile justice and foster care systems. Her love and passion 

for writing ultimately led her to a career in the book publishing industry, where 

she has conceived and executed strategic marketing and publicity plans for 

a number of high profile clients that include Bishop TD Jakes, rapper/actor 

Common, Blair Underwood, Zane, Richard Williams, George Clinton, Charlie 

Wilson, Michael Strahan, and a host of other literary/entertainment luminaries. Her area of expertise is 

the African American market, and she currently manages all the publicity planning for Strebor Books, 

an African American imprint of Atria Books, while also serving as the in-house liaison for Enliven Books, 

a new-age imprint. Deshommes graduated magna cum laude with a degree in special education 

and earned a Master in Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the City College of New York. She 

lives in Haverstraw, New York. 




Ida Does is an award-winning director and producer of documentary films, residing 

in The Netherlands and Aruba. Her newest work, Poetry is An Island, is a featurelength 

documentary on Derek Walcott, poet, playwright, painter, and Nobel 

Laureate from St. Lucia. This award-winning film presents an intimate portrait of 

Derek Walcott and has been screened at international film festivals and literary 

festivals. Ida Does was born in Suriname and has Dutch-Creole, French, and 

Chinese origins. Previously she directed documentaries about Surinamese poet 

Trefossa and Dutch-Suriname hero Anton de Kom. In 2007, she founded Ida Does Productions and has 

worked as an independent director and producer ever since. www.idadoes.nl, www.walcottfilm.com. 

Doris Dumabin (Guadeloupe) is the author of four novels. The adult themes in her 

books have reportedly raised eyebrows in her homeland, especially for the way 

that she writes about male-female relationships, but she enjoys exploring new 

worlds in her fiction. The novelist attended the Caribbean Writers Congress 2015 in 

Guadeloupe and returns for a third consecutive year to the St. Martin Book Fair. 

Quince Duncan was born in 1940 in San José, Costa Rica. He is regarded as 

Costa Rica’s first Afro-Caribbean writer in the Spanish language. Dr. Duncan is 

well respected throughout Central America and internationally recognized for his 

scholarly and organizational work on human rights and ethno-racial relations. His 

novels and short stories have been awarded Costa Rica’s National Literature Prize 

(Premio Nacional de Literatura) and Premio Editorial Costa Rica. His works typically 

concern the Afro-Caribbean population living on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, 

particularly around the city of Puerto Limón. His novel A Message from Rosa has 

been published in English—one of his four bilingual titles (English, Spanish, and/or French). He has taught 

as a professor of English, literature, and Latin American Studies at the National University, Costa Rica, 

and in the USA at the University of Alabama, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Purdue University. 

Dr. Duncan is the author and co-author of over 40 books, including La audacia final de la inmigrante, El 

Pueblo Afrodescendiente, Ensayo dialogado sobre el pueblo Afrodescendiente de las Américas, and Dos 

novelas: Los cuatro espejos y La Paz del pueblo. 

28 




Fola Gadet (Guadeloupe), poet, hip hop artist, and cultural activist. He’s 

also an assistant professor at the University of the French West-Indies in 

Martinique, where he lives with his family. Gadet has taught and lived in 

Kingston, Jamaica, and has been a rapper since 1998. In 2013 he released 

his album Undisguised. Gadet has said that his first books, which dealt with 

hip-hop culture and the Rastafarian movement, were “academic” in nature. 

“I started writing fiction in 2009, when I was jobless,” said Gadet. His first short 

story collection, Under the sun of dignity, was followed by a second, Man of clay (2013). The rapping 

professor’s debut novel, One day at a time, appeared in January 2014. Gadet’s book Make a 

difference, about social activism, was introduced at the 12 th annual St. Martin Book Fair. He returns 

in 2016 for the first leg of a new book tour for his just released title, LES CULTURES URBAINES DANS LA 

CARAÏBE. All of his books are published in French. 

Adrian Green is a communications and personal development specialist, 

focusing on the use of the arts as developmental tools. The spoken-word 

performer, columnist, actor, and visual artist is a two-time Gold Award winner 

in Barbados’ National Festival of Creative Arts. He’s a recipient of the Prime 

Minister’s Award in the performing arts, a three-time Barbadian Slam Poetry 

Champion, and the two-time winner of the Emancipation Roots Experience 

Show. Green is featured in the 2015 film Vigilante–The Crossing, and has 

taught visual art at the secondary school level. Green represented Barbados at Carifesta X in Guyana 

and has performed to audiences in the Netherlands, USA, Ghana, Grenada, St. Vincent, Dominica, 

Nevis, St. Thomas, and Tortola. He has been a featured performer at the Dominica Literary Festival, 

The Read My World Literature Festival, and the North South Griot Summit. His poetry CD recordings 

are “Random Acts of Conscience,” “Hard Ears,” and “Art is Chemistry.” Adrian Green holds an MA in 

communications, a BA in advertising and art, and an associate degree in graphic design. 




Valeria Grinberg Pla is a cultural critic from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her work 

explores the political in film and literature. Since 2012 she has been an associate 

professor of Latin American literature and cultural studies at Bowling Green State 

University, Ohio, USA. She is the author of Eva Perón: cuerpo-género-nación (2013), 

and coeditor of Narrativas del crimen en América Latina: transformaciones y 

transculturaciones del policial (2012), with Brigitte Adriaensen, and of Tensiones de 

la modernidad: del modernismo al realismo (2009), with Ricardo Roque Baldovinos. 

Dr. Grinberg Pla is also on the editorial board of Istmo. Revista virtual de estudios literarios y culturales 

centroamericanos. 

Francio Guadeloupe, president of the University of St. Martin (USM). Dr. 

Guadeloupe is the author of Chanting Down the New Jerusalem: Calypso, 

Christianity, and Capitalism in the Caribbean. The scholarly articles by the former 

lecturer at the Radboud University Nijmegen have appeared in Mensenstreken, 

Etnofoor, and the Journal for the Study of Religion. 

C’est une Guadeloupe des années 1950-1960 que Sylviane Gumbs nous amène 

ici à découvrir. Humour, anecdotes, scènes du quotidien, constituent quelques 

ingrédients de cette histoire où les personnages parfois singuliers ou attachants, 

aux noms parfois évocateurs, vivent des situations pas toujours heureuses. 

Une langue truculente et colorée y trouve naturellement sa place. Telle est 

l’atmosphère dans laquelle évolue Roby, un jeune orphelin, aux côtés d’une tante 

particulièrement exigeante. Celui-ci va plus tard épouser Anna. Désormais Anna 

et Roby forment un couple en quête d’une vie de famille heureuse et épanouie, mais l’avenir saura-t-il 

satisfaire cet idéal du bonheur? Sylviane Gumbs, enseignante à la retraite et saint-martinoise d’adoption, 

nous décrit dans Brisures de vies, son premier ouvrage, certains aspects de cette société antillaise où 

l’expression de la créolité prend tout son sens. 

30 




Jay B. Haviser is a well-published expert on Amerindian and African Diaspora 

archaeology of the Caribbean. Books by Dr. Haviser include In Search 

of St. Martin’s Ancient Peoples, The First Bonaireans, Amerindian Cultural 

Geography on Curaçao, and the edited volumes African Sites: Archaeology 

of the Caribbean and African Re-Genesis. His numerous scientific articles 

have appeared in scholarly journals and books in the Caribbean, the USA, 

and Europe. Dr. Haviser has conducted extensive archaeological research 

and surveys in Curaçao, Bonaire, and St. Martin between 1982 and the present. In 2005, Dr. Haviser 

founded the St. Maarten Archaeological Center (SIMARC), a youth and science stimulation project. 

In 2007, he became the official archaeologist for the territory’s government in Philipsburg. In 2015, 

Dr. Haviser chaired the highly successful 26 th congress of the International Association for Caribbean 

Archaeology (IACA-AIAC). Awards and honors include a Royal Netherlands decoration and the Island 

Vision Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Nalo Hopkinson, born in Jamaica, is the author of eight books of fiction and 

a chapbook, the editor/co-editor of four fiction anthologies, and a fiction 

co-editor for the Lightspeed special edition People of Colo(u)r Destroy Science 

Fiction. She has received the John W. Campbell Award, the World Fantasy 

Award, the Andre Norton Award, and, twice, the Sunburst Award for Canadian 

Literature of the Fantastic. Falling in Love with Hominids (short stories) is her 

exciting 2015 book. Hopkinson is an associate professor of creative writing at 

the University of California Riverside, USA, where she is part of a research cluster in science fiction. 

Dino Jagtiani (St. Martin), chef/owner, Temptation restaurant, Rare Café (St. 

Martin). The sumptuous food recipes of Jagtiani fill The Temptation Restaurant 

Cookbook – A Delectable Blend of Cuisine, Fine Art and Poetry. He is also an 

editor of the cook book. 




Umar Johnson (USA), is a certified school psychologist who is considered an expert 

on the education and mental health of African and African-American children. 

He focuses on special education issues and is known most for his work in identifying 

misdiagnosed learning disabled and ADHD students. As a child therapist, Dr. 

Johnson works with depressed and behaviorally-challenged males. He authored 

the book Psycho-Academic Holocaust: The Special Education and ADHD Wars 

against Black Boys. A dynamic speaker, Dr. Johnson has lectured in North America, 

South America, The Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. 

Heddrick McBride (USA), is the primary author and owner of McBride Collection 

of Stories LLC. He has published over 50 children’s books. McBride’s books have 

been featured in L.A Times, The USA Today, and the Bleacher Report. His titles have 

been seen on ESPN Sportsnation, The Bill O’Reilly Show, Time Warner Sports, ESPN 

Sportscenter, NY 1 News, the Michael Kay show, and other TV programs. He has 

co-authored books with 12 professionals, including NBA Star Metta World Peace, 

who has held huge book signing events at Barnes and Noble bookstores in Los 

Angeles and in New York City. McBride’s books are read in schools in New York City, Boston, Baltimore, 

Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Atlanta; and in South Africa and St. Martin. In his spare time, 

Heddrick McBride enjoys watching movies and hanging out with his wife Danielle and their daughter 

Skylar. www.mcbridestories.com. 

Pedro Pérez-Sarduy (Cuba, 1943) is a distinguished poet, writer, journalist, 

broadcaster and cultural critic residing in London and Havana. He has worked 

for Cuban National Radio (1965-79) and BBC World Service (1981-1994). He is the 

author of Surrealidad, 1967; Cumbite and Other Poems (1987, bilingual 1990); and 

Malecón Sigloveinte, 2005. His first novel is Las Criadas de La Habana (The Maids of 

Havana/Les bonnes de La Havane) 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2014. His work appears 

in The Oxford Book of Caribbean Verse and The World Record: International Voices 

from Southbank Centre’s Poetry Parnassus. He is co-editor of two seminal books AFROCUBA: An Anthology 

of Cuban Writing on Race, Politics, and Culture (bilingual 1993, 1998) and Afro-Cuban Voices: On Race 

32 




and Identity in Contemporary Cuba, 2000. He was the Ford Foundation Writer in Residence, Columbia 

University, 1989; CUNY Caribbean Exchange Program, Hunter College, 1990; Rockefeller Visiting 

Scholar, University of Florida, 1993; Rockefeller Fellowship Caribbean Program, University of Puerto Rico, 

1997; and Charles McGill Fellow Visiting Lecturer, Trinity College, 2004. Pérez-Sarduy was awarded the 

poetry prize by Casa de las Américas, 1966; Julián del Casal, 1967 UNEAC, and Prix du Livre Insulaire, 

Ouessant, 2008. In 2009 he received in Havana the Victor Hugo UNESCO bronze medal. www.sarduy. 

co.uk, http://afrocubaweb.com/pedroperezsa. 

Laura Richardson, poet, director, Roland Richardson Gallery Museum, the 

leading St. Martin art gallery. Before moving to St. Martin, the Adelphi University 

graduate ran the Miller Fine Art Gallery, Ltd. in her native USA. Laura’s first 

collection of poems, published in collaboration with the prestigious La 

Samanna resort, features the fine oils and etchings of her husband, a leading 

Caribbean impressionist painter, Sir Roland Richardson. Her poems appear 

at www.rolandrichardson.com, www.stmaarten.org, and in the books Where 

I See the Sun–Contemporary Poetry in St. Martin (2013), The Temptation Restaurant Cookbook – A 

Delectable Blend of Cuisine, Fine Art and Poetry (2014). She’s also an editor of the cook book. 

Roland Richardson is better known as an iconic St. Martin painter. He is easily 

placed among the leading Caribbean impressionist masters. But for over 

25 years, the less focused on writings and interviews of Richardson clearly 

identified his deep philosophical and decidedly poetic side. Most of his known 

writings appeared between the late 1980s and late 1990s. This was during the 

heyday of his Don Quixote-like environmentalist activism and unique editorship 

of Discover St. Martin/St. Maarten. Richardson’s art has appeared in over 100 

one-man exhibits, from Marigot to Moscow; and in group shows in museums and galleries around the 

world. The art of Richardson, including his celebrated flamboyant oils, has been collected by the likes 

of Harry Belafonte, Romare Bearden, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the Getty family, Queen Beatrix of the 




Netherlands, and by St. Martiners from all walks of life. Awards and honors include Culture Time’s “Artist 

of the Decade” (1997), a Dutch knighthood, and a St. Martin Collectivity lifetime achievement award. Sir 

Roland Richardson is profiled prominently in St. Martin Massive! A Snapshot of Popular Artists (2000). The 

exceptional art of Roland Richardson illustrates The Temptation Restaurant Cookbook – A Delectable 

Blend of Cuisine, Fine Art and Poetry. He is also an editor of the hard cover cook book. 

Max Rippon (Marie-Galante, Guadeloupe), is the author of eleven books of poems, 

essays on tourism, and narratives, including Pawòl naïf, Agouba, Le Dernier Matin– 

Récit, Six virgule trios–Secousses à Terre-de-Bas, and Blues an tout lang (2009). As 

a strong advocate of Kwéyòl as a popular and literary language, Rippon’s books 

Le Dernier Matin, Marie La Gracieuse, and Debris de Silences are taught in schools 

in Guadeloupe and St. Martin. He is featured in the poetry collection Hurricane, 

Shouts of Islanders (Hurricane, Cris d’Insulaires) among such noted authors as Aimé 

Césaire, Derek Walcott, and Nabile Fares. He has participated in literary festivals 

in Guadeloupe, Nicaragua, USA, and France. Max Rippon’s book, Marie Galante Regards (2014), was 

introduced at St. Martin Book Fair 2014, and his newest poetry collection was introduced at the St. Martin 

Book Fair 2015. 

Jacqueline A. Sample (USA) is a criminologist based in the USA. She received her 

training from the Graduate School of Criminal Justice at the State University of New 

York in Albany. Jacqueline A. Sample is also a painter, jeweler, and art curator. She 

is the president of House of Nehesi Publishers Foundation in St. Martin and a past 

president and current treasurer of Black Dimension in Art, Inc. in Albany New York. 

34 




Simone Schwarz-Bart is an internationally known writer in the company of 

Guadeloupean novelists Maryse Condé and Myriam Warner-Vieyra. Born in 

1938 in Guadeloupe to a teacher and military man, Schwarz-Bart studied in 

Pointe-á-Pitre, Paris and Dakar. Her four novels have each achieved laudatory 

reviews in The New York Times Book Review, The Sunday Times, Présence 

Africaine, Figaro Littéraire, The French Review, Savacou, Nouvelle Revue 

Française, and The New Yorker. Her oeuvre lucidly narrates the harsh realities 

Caribbean women endure in the clutches of slavery and colonization. Publication of her six-volume 

work, Hommage à la Femme Noire (In Praise of Women of Color) in 1989, testifies to her lifelong 

commitment to unearthing the unknown history and culture of Black women of the diaspora. In her 

lifetime, Schwarz-Bart has lived in France, Africa, and Switzerland. She currently resides in Lausanne, 

France, and in Guadeloupe. (scholarblogs.emory.edu/postcolonialstudies). 

Lasana M. Sekou is a St. Martin author of 20 books of poetry, monologues, and 

short stories. His Nativity, The Salt Reaper, 37 Poems, Love Songs Make You 

Cry, and Brotherhood of the Spurs have been required reading at Caribbean, 

North American, and European universities. He is the editor of National Symbols 

of St. Martin–A Primer and producer of Fête–The first recording of Traditional 

St. Martin festive music by Tanny & The Boys. Sekou has recited his poetry 

throughout the Caribbean, USA, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. 

His poetry has been translated into Spanish, Dutch, French, German, Turkish, and Chinese. He is the 

co-founder of the St. Martin Book Fair. Awards and honors include an International Writers Workshop 

Visiting Fellow (China), a James Michener Fellow (USA), a knighthood (The Netherlands), recognition 

for literary excellence in the service of Caribbean unity (Dominican Republic), Conscious Lyrics 

Artist of the Decade (St. Martin), and the CTO Award of Excellence. Sekou is an advocate for the 

independence of St. Martin, a colony of France and the Netherlands. 




Ayana A. Tyrell, LL.B (Hons) University of Buckingham, BPTC Cardiff University. Tyrell 

is an attorney-at-law (Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Anguilla Circuit). Tyrell 

divides her time between Anguilla and her native St. Martin. 

Papa Umpho (Rodney Young), is a St. Martin high school teacher, poet, and 

storyteller. He has performed traditional and original folktales for the Philipsburg 

Jubilee Library, the HNP Creative Writing Program, the Children’s Room of the St. 

Martin Book Fair, and other programs. 

Sjorensly R. R. Valies (St. Martin), graphics designer, poet, poetry events organizer. 

He works with The Poets Lounge’s monthly readings and the Soualigan Fyah Open 

Mic program at the St. Martin Book Fair. The poetry of Valies appears the book 

Where I See the Sun Contemporary Poetry in St. Martin. www.houseofnehesipublish. 

com. 

Gerard van Veen was born in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, in 1933. He came to 

the Caribbean in 1961, and worked in pastoral, social, educational, and cultural 

fields. In 1983, Gerard van Veen made St. Martin his home, after retiring from the 

priesthood in Aruba where he had written four books. He worked as a probation 

officer in St. Martin until 1993, after which he taught sociology and Dutch language 

courses at the University of St. Martin. He has acted on stage under the direction 

of Ian Valz during the 1980s heyday of theater on the island. Gerard van Veen’s 

articles on social issues have appeared in the Newsday, Chronicle and The Daily Herald newspapers. His 

column “Church News Bits” has appeared in the Weekender supplement of The Daily Herald for almost 

36 




20 years. He is the author of St. Theresa’s San Nicolas; Savaneta, Antes y Awor; Religious Snapshots; 

Lambee & The Road that Couldn’t be Built; and Hakuna Matata & Other Travel Stories. Awards and 

honors include a Paul Harris Fellow and a Member in the Order of Oranje-Nassau. Van Veen’s newest 

book, Soualiga Catholica–St. Martin of Tours Parish (1841 – 2016), commemorates the 175 th anniversary 

of the St. Martin of Tours Parish in the South or Dutch part of St. Martin (the island is also called Soualiga, 

reputedly an Amerindian name which means “Land of Salt”). 

King Vers (Darin Hodge), a St. Martin singer/performance artist, winner of 

the Soca Rumble 2016 Power category, provides “a combination of smooth 

melodies, aggressive flows, and lyrics for a life time.” A dedicated and prolific 

artist, Vers (as he is also popularly known), brings with him a refreshing sound 

to soca. Writing music since 2002, the former all-rounder officially found his 

lane in the soca arena a few years ago and has since grown into a dynamic 

performer. King Vers’ style ranges from smooth and melodic to rough and 

edgy. His stage shows are energetic and interactive and often leave his audience covered in powder 

and water. Be it about a party vibe, a road jam, or something more inspirational, his songs always tell 

a story are generally though of having positively impacted the soca scene in St. Martin. www.kingvers. 

com. 

Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne has dedicated her 20-year career to advancing 

the areas of aerospace and space technology development, specifically 

in the fields of human space flight; space vehicle systems engineering, 

integration and testing; space (microgravity) research; and most recently 

in the areas of space technology application in international development 

and global science and space education advocacy for girls–work she does 

through her NGO the Brightest Stars Foundation, founded in 2007. Dr. Alleyne 

has served in technical management roles with increasing responsibility both at NASA and the US 

Department of Defense. For the last several years, she has served as the Assistant Program Scientist for 

the International Space Station (ISS)–a space-based science laboratory. In this role, she developed 

and managed the communication strategy for ISS Research and Technology. The innovative strategy 

conveyed the benefits of ISS scientific research to stakeholders including the US Congress, the 

general public, and potential users. She also led the integration of all international space education 




programs across the ISS Partners (US, Japan, Russia, Europe, and Canada). Prior to this, Dr. Alleyne served 

as the Orion Crew Module Systems, Integration, and Test Technical Manager at Johnson Space Center, 

the Systems Engineering and Integration Lead for the Constellation Systems Requirements development 

at NASA Headquarters, and as a Flight Systems Test Engineer at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in 

Florida. She has also held positions as an aerospace systems engineer at the Missile Defense Agency and 

the Department of Defense, where she led analysis and integration of several ballistic missile defense 

system projects. Dr. Alleyne holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Howard 

University. She also holds a master of science in mechanical engineering from Florida A&M University, 

a master of science in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland, and a doctorate in 

educational leadership from the University of Houston. 

Jenn Yerkes (St. Martin), is the president of Les Fruits de Mer, a non-profit 

association whose core mission is to raise awareness about nature, culture, 

and wildlife through publications, education programs, and public events that 

entertain, inform, and inspire. She is the co-curator of Amuseum Naturalis, the free, 

public pop-up museum of the natural history of St. Martin and the Caribbean, 

and the creator of the groundbreaking exhibit Women, People of Color, and the 

Making of Natural History in the Caribbean. Her ongoing research, writing, and 

outreach project is to uncover and share the stories of the unsung heroes of Caribbean natural history. 

Mark Yokoyama is a naturalist, author and wildlife educator living in St. Martin. He 

has published two editions of The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of Saint Martin, 

the first book of its kind on the island. He is also co-founder and treasurer of the 

non-profit association Les Fruits de Mer. Les Fruits de Mer’s activities include public 

wildlife events like the Endemic Animal Festival, ebooks on wildlife subjects, short 

documentary films, and Amuseum Naturalis, a pop-up natural history museum. 

Mark has collaborated with a number of scientists and conservation organizations 

and writes a weekly column in The Daily Herald. All of his work is available for free download at 

www.lesfruitsdemer.com. 

38 




Isidore “Mighty Dow” York is a leading kaisonian and pannist of St. Martin. 









NOTES 



Organizations 

Philipsburg Jubilee Library: Find out more about the exciting and evolving 92-year-old Philipsburg Jubilee 

Library in Philipsburg, St. Martin @ http://www.stmaartenlibrary.org. 

Soualigan Fyah: Youth Poetry is a Poetry/Spoken Word Competition for St. Martin high schoolers, ages 

13-18. The poet Lysanne Charles is a principal of the competition platform, which organizes annual 

readings at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library. According to its objectives: “Soualigan Fyah is designed 

to create a vehicle where youngsters can give voice to their emotions and ideas, 2) to encourage 

youngsters to be aware of and critical of what is happening around them and 3) to encourage the 

continued development of poetry and spoken word amongst the youth of St. Maarten.” https://www. 

facebook.com/SoualiganFyah/info?tab=page_info. 

The Poets Lounge is an “open mic event … about the art of spoken word,” founded by Esdra Richardson 

in 2014, and produced monthly by Ki Connections SXM. The poetry reading club format, “with a chic 

ambiance, and a sense of sophistication” is designed to “give the poets of our island a stage to shine,” 

said the founder. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ki.poetslounge/ 

44 


June 2 – 4, 2016 

Organizers, Sponsors, Patron, Contributors, Friends 

lcf 

FOUNDATION 

Médiathèque Territoriale 

The Paradise Inn 

IRIE LIFE 

Peridot Foundation 

St. Martin Book Fair Coordinator Shujah Reiph (R) and members of the 2016 Book Fair Committee (BFC).

IRIE LIFE 

T-shirt - Colorful Clothing - Beachwear 

Irie Life • The Valley, Anguilla • Caribbean 

T (264) 497-6526 • (264) 476-6526 | F: www.facebook.com/irielifeanguilla 

www.irielife.com

lcf 

FOUNDATION

NEW BOOKS! 

HOUSE OF NEHESI PUBLISHERS 

SOUALIGA CATHOLICA 

St. Martin of Tours Parish 

(1841 - 2016) 

GERARD VAN VEEN 

A celebration ... It takes 

readers through historical 

facts from the 15 th century 

to the present time … a 

unique tribute. 

– Fr. Adam Oleszczuk, S.V.D. 

book of 

the dead 

LASANA M. SEKOU 

book of the dead risks a new 

kind of pan-Caribbean poetry. 

– Richard Drayton 

King’s College London 

An important new work 

of world literature, … an 

ambitious book. 

– Xu Xi, New York | Hong Kong 

THE UNSEEN LETTER 

A play in five acts 

GLEN C. NAIRN 

A ritual of nature, 

sometimes in unseen 

and mysterious ways; ... 

juxtaposing exalted ideals 

and the commonplace 

issues of love and desire. 

– Vladimir Lucien, 

BOCAS award author 

w houseofnehesipublish.com https://goo.gl/kNHyc5 twitter.com/HouseofNehesi 

HNP Books are available @ www.amazon.com • www.spdbooks.org • Van Dorp • Arnia’s • Shipwreck Shops 

and other bookstores in the Caribbean, USA, and Europe.

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