Over forty poets in Anguilla have had their literary work published in a just-released anthology, now available at outlets on the island.
The book of poems, Where I See The Sun – Contemporary Poetry in Anguilla, was launched at Government House on May 21, on the eve of Lit Fest 2015. Including more than ninety poems from forty-three promising writers and seasoned poets from Anguilla, the poetry book was edited by well-known author, Lasana Sekou, and was published by the House of Nehesi in St. Maarten.
The launch was witnessed by a group of visiting authors, poets and publishers who were invited to Anguilla from the United States, Canada and the Caribbean region to participate Lit Fest.
Anguilla’s Governor, Christina Scott, who hosted the event, commented that the anthology was a demonstration of the high level of talent in Anguilla. Minister of Social Development, responsible for culture, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, joined the Governor in commending the island’s poets for their work.
Mr. Fabian Fahie, one of the published poets in the anthology, as well as in the 1975 Conch on the Seashore book of poetry published in Anguilla, spoke on behalf of his fellow poets. He was grateful to Sekou and the House of Nehesi for embarking on the project and to the Anguilla Government for its support.
Three of the published poets, John Harrigan, Vanessa Croft-Thompson and Hyacinth Hughes, read their poems, as well as Cimone Richardson and Alexis Ryan, two winners of the separate Malliouhana Poetry Competition.
It was a delightful evening on the grounds of Government House as the literary craft was presented to a large and appreciative gathering.