The large and appreciative audience at the Performance Round and Awards Ceremony of the 2016 Malliouhana Poetry Competition was treated to another outstanding array of literary and artistic talent at the Anguilla Public Library on Wednesday 11th May. The Competition, which forms part of the Anguilla Day Celebrations, was under the theme “Revolution Tomorrow: rumblings, perceptions, aspirations…” in keeping with the focus leading up to the 50th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution. Organised by the University of the West Indies Open Campus Anguilla in collaboration with the Anguilla Library Service, the Department of Youth and Culture and the Anguilla Community College, the aim is to encourage literacy and artistic expression, as well as to promote an ethos of social, cultural and political awareness.
This year’s Competition included the “Poetry on the Page” as well as the “Spoken Word/Performance Poetry” segment. The Committee received twenty-six (26) submissions – seventeen (17) for the “Poetry on the Page” and nine (9) for the “Spoken Word/Performance Poetry” segment. Of these seven (7) were in the Junior (8-15 years) Category and nineteen (19) in the Senior (16 plus) Category.
Savannah Croft was adjudged Winner in the Junior Category/Poetry on the Page for her poem “Instead”. She was followed by Rhonica Ann Connor with “From Where We Came” in Second Place and Cimone Richardson with “The Revolution” in Third Place. Last year’s Junior Winner, Alysha Carty took first place in the Performance Poetry/Junior Category with her poem, “Only a Day Away”, followed by Ella Irish with “Life”.
First Place in the Poetry on the Page Senior Category went to Vanessa Croft-Thompson for her poem “The Takeover”. Timothy Hodge’s “Let’s Pray That It Isn’t Already Too Late” earned him Second Place, whilst Hyacinth E. Hughes took third place with “Anguilla’s Journey”. Keither Brenda Charles received an honorary mention for her poem entitled “Revolution”.
The Performance Round in the Senior Category saw a wide variety of captivating presentations and in the end seventeen year-old T’arah Niles wowed the judges and the crowd with her powerfully-delivered “A Dream Reborn” to take First Place. Second Place went to Vanessa Croft-Thompson for her entrancing rendition of “The Girl Speaks to the Land Who Employed No One” and last year’s Senior Winner, Alexis Ryan took third place with his riveting delivery of “Heroes Do Exist”. Sharleen Gumbs earned an honorary mention with her poem entitled “The Revolution”.
The Winners were presented with plaques and monetary prizes/vouchers, as well as the opportunity to present their poems at the Anguilla Lit Fest this weekend.
One of the main highlights of the evening was when poet and revolutionary heroine, Mrs. Daisy “Wong” Richardson took to the stage. The 95 year-old honouree mesmerised the audience with her flawless recitation of her tribute to the “Father of the Nation”, Mr. James Ronald Webster. The poem was taken from her book “Li’l Bit A Guinea Corn Porridge”, a collection of poems published in 1997 to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution.
The Committee presented Mrs. Richardson with a plaque made from Anguilla stone in recognition of her contributions to poetry. Ms. Avon Carty (Department of Youth and Culture) made the presentation on behalf of the Committee and lauded the local heroine’s accomplishments and involvement in the literary and cultural development of the island.
The programme which was carried live by Radio Anguilla, was chaired by UWI Open Campus BOT Manager, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks and also included presentations by guest poet Mrs. Patricia Adams, Super Mario, the reigning Junior Calypso Monarch, and Crescendo Martin on the steel pan.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett, delivered greetings on behalf of the Minister, and longstanding patron, the Honourable Palmovon Webster, and Committee Member, Jansie Webster, participated in the distribution of the certificates. Ms. Carla Harris (ACC) announced the Winners and the vote of thanks was delivered by Administrative Assistant at the UWI Open Campus, Miss Tesia Harrigan.
The Committee thanks all the Participants, including Ava Carty, Kissanca Richardson, Leslie Joseph, Sharon Lake, Delano Smith, Romein Browne, Bernard Joseph and John T. Harrigan. Special thanks to the Judges: Professor Sir Howard Fergus, Mrs. Aunika Webster-Lake, Mrs. Patricia Adams, Ms. Ingrid Fullington, Mr. David Carty and Mr. Felix Fleming; Sponsors: the Department of Youth and Culture, Webster, Digicel, the Anguilla Social Security Board and Coral Reef Book Store; the Media, as well as all other supporters and friends for their role in making the 2016 Malliouhana Poetry such a memorable event.
