Charlestown, Nevis – March 22, 2007
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Library Services Mr. Joseph Wiltshire was of the view that Nevisians have been inspired to hone their creative poetry skills, which had resulted in a treasury of reflective, thought-provoking and insightful poems.
His comment came while he delivered remarks at the seventh Poetry Evening and the launch of an anthology of poems entitled Poetic Treasures of Oualie. The event was organised by the Nevis Public Library Services at the Charlestown Public Library on Wednesday March 21, 2007.
“I wish to commend Mrs. Sonita Daniel, the immediate past Librarian for her foresight in organising Poetry Evenings on World Poetry Day. Her initiative has sparked a renaissance of Nevisian literature which culminated in the launch of this anthology of poems fittingly entitled Poetic Treasures of Oualie,” he said.
He also extended commendations to the present Librarian and staff who he noted carried the torch and ensured that the general public had the opportunity to own copies of the booklet.To Poets of past Poetry Evenings, Mr. Wiltshire thanked them for heeding the clarion call having penned their thoughts and feelings. He referred to their contributions as an importation addition to the bright and radiant colours of what he termed the tapestry of Nevisian poetry.
Meantime, Librarian Mrs Lornette Hanley in her welcome remarks said, that the Poetry Evenings had been designed by her predecessor as part of World Poetry Day which had been celebrated internationally every March 21st. She said it was a time when poets around the world were given recognition for their freedom of expression in print.
According to Mrs. Hanley, the anthology presented a selection of the Library’s poetic patrons from 2000-2006 and began with a challenge given to the Library by former Junior Minister of Education and Library Services Mr. Livingston Herbert.
She said the booklets have gone on sale at the Library, the proceeds of which would be used to cover the cost of production. Mrs. Hanley thanked the poets who she said had given the Library their blessings to publish and sell their work and also thanked the Library’s staff for their sterling effort having designed and produced the booklet.
During the ceremony, there was also a presentation of inspirational poetry from several poets and the message from the Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was delivered by Miss Glenda Brookes. Miss Myrtle Brookes gave the Vote of Thanks while Mrs. Sheila Hanley chaired the function.