AS part of contributions toward the observance of Saint Lucia’s 40th Anniversary of Independence, Vieux Fortian writer/poet, Modeste Downes, has teamed up with noted local and internationally recognized writer/poet, Kendel Hippolyte, to organize and host a one day workshop in Poetry and Writing for poetry writers, enthusiasts, teachers and select students of English and Literature, in the south of the island.
The activity, which is made possible by donations from Goddard Catering Group, Harris Customs Brokerage of Vieux Fort and Lavar Bar of Augier, is supported by the Cohen & Bruce Williams Foundation, responsible for the annual Cohen and Bruce Williams Literary Award for Students.
Workshop presenter, Mr. Kendel Hippolyte, is an M.Phil. Graduate in Literature from the University of the West Indies, and also a graduate in Theatre Arts from Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. Mr. Hippolyte has published at least six volumes of poetry, including Night Vision, Birthright and Fault Lines. In 2013, he won the Bocas Festival Poetry Prize for the collection Fault Lines. He is a longstanding member of the Caribbean Examinations Council. He recently retired as a lecturer of Literature and Theatre Arts at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.
The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, at the R. C. Parish Hall, Vieux Fort.
In other news, Modeste Downes announces the release of his third volume of poetry, ‘A Lesson on Wings,’ published by Jako Books in New York, Toronto and London. Announcements will be made soon on where the book can be purchased locally.