BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TODAY (Mar. 21) is World Poetry Day and Island Xpressions (IX) has chosen this day to celebrate its Fifth Anniversary, since such a talent-filled forum has allowed and molded the exposure and growth of many poets, singers, musicians and other artistes who come together as an arts unit at least once each month throughout the year.
Tonight, a special celebration is scheduled to take place at Ma Pau on Port Zante which has been the host venue for IX’s events close to four years.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Samal Duggins, the founder of IX, highlighted that the event is being held on World Poetry Day “in keeping with our thrust to develop poetry”.
“This monumental occasion will feature an Island Xpression-themed Cocktail Reception followed by top-notch performances from some of the most beloved Island Xpression’s artistes of all time”, he added.
Members of the public are therefore encouraged to support the event which promises to be exciting and unforgettable.
The Cocktail begins at 8:00 p.m. and showtime half an hour after.
“I want to celebrate what we've built, and that is to me the greatest joy of five years”, expressed Duggins.
He is obviously ecstatic about the fifth milestone as he disclosed the estimated numbers of shows collectively held over the years.
“IX is five years old. Wow! …Which is equivalent to over 60 shows without even considering the months when we did two.”
Duggins said the celebration would be about the people; the poets, musicians, artistes, audience and special guests.
“For me, on this anniversary, I want to look at what we've built and not just to talk about it. I want to celebrate the persons who had never performed before but are now known around the island because of IX. I want to celebrate the fact that somebody can now say that he or she is a poet and is looked upon as a performer and not just somebody who talks.”
Duggins revealed that he also wants to commemorate the longevity of the monthly event and the recognition that it has garnered.
“I want to celebrate the idea of having a monthly event that works, because I don't think that anybody thought that an event like this could actually work. I want to celebrate the fact that we took an idea and it got as far as politicians talking about it in Parliament. I want to celebrate people. I want to celebrate that person who month after month comes out of their home, out of their bed to be there.”
Duggins recalled a conversation he had with an individual who talked about the significance of a fifth year anniversary as it relates to the business world.
“Somebody once told me that if you run something for five years it becomes an entity of its own. Therefore, I want to celebrate the fact that IX has become an entity.”
Duggins also spoke about the vision he had for IX.
“When I started IX, I wanted it to become a lifestyle; I wanted it to alter people's lifestyle for the better. I wanted IX to be a forum for discussion not just talent; a forum for people to come together to share ideas and opinions and walk away with better knowledge. I wanted people to recognise that true education is sharing knowledge, debates and discussions. It's not just telling you something and you saying okay. It's about understanding. For the most part, IX would have achieved some of that.”
Information on World Poetry Day can be found at http://www.un.org/en/events/poetryday/.
The site revealed that “Every year on 21 March UNESCO celebrates the World Poetry Day. A decision to proclaim 21 March as World Poetry Day was adopted during the UNESCO’s 30th session held in Paris in 1999.
“According to the UNESCO’s decision, the main objective of this action is to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities. Moreover, this Day is meant to support poetry, return to the oral tradition of poetry recitals, promote teaching poetry, restore a dialogue between poetry and the other arts such as theatre, dance, music, painting and so on, support small publishers and create an attractive image of poetry in the media so that the art of poetry will no longer be considered an outdated form of art but one”.
