The public is invited to the official Ceremony for the Territory’s first ever Poet Laureate, Dr. Richard Georges on Friday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m at the Eileen Parsons Auditorium at HLSCC.
The evening will explore the power of poetry in our lives through featured performances by the Callaloo Poets, a screening of the three-part short documentary series called “On Becoming a Poet” and much more.
The designation of a Virgin Islands Poet Laureate has become a country’s way to express its love and appreciation for the art of poetry.
The Poet Laureate of the Virgin Islands is the official poet ambassador of the territory and is selected from amongst the territory’s most accomplished poets and must serve for three years.
Minister of Education and Culture, Honorable Natalio Wheatley said “I am grateful that cabinet has decided to endorse the Poet Laureate programme here in the Virgin Islands. This initiative raises the profile of poetry in the Territory. It gives young poets something to aspire to as well as encouraging persons to take a critical look at their society and themselves and communicating their observations and conclusions in a creative way.”
“It acknowledges that the artist has a valuable role in society and is an important part of the focus to reinvigorate the Department of Culture,” the Minister added, who also happens to be a spirited poet himself.
Director of Culture, Dr. Katherine Smith said “the establishment of the Virgin Islands Poet Laureate Programme signifies a significant step and maturation of this art form in Virgin Islands society.”
The ceremony will be streamed LIVE on the Government’s Facebook page @BVIGovernment and @284 Media and is part of Culture and Tourism Month, which is a collaboration between the Department of Culture and the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board and Film Commission.
