Canadian author NourbeSe Philip is the keynote speaker for the St. Martin Book Fair opening ceremony at the University of St. Martin (USM), on June 3, said book fair coordinator Shujah Reiph.
The three-day book fair program was also just released to the public at www.houseofnehesipublish.com and on Face Book by searching for St. Martin Book Fair.
"We have a jam-packed enticing program of over nine workshops, two general sessions, the presidents’ forum, new book signings, ten school visits by visiting authors and St. Martin experts, the famous Children’s Room and the international poetry evening," said Reiph.
The main book fair venues are the Public Library, Marigot and the University of St. Martin, Philipsburg. The grand book sales exhibition, and most of the workshops will be held at USM on Saturday, June 5.
The workshops include Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America by Dr. Lori Tharps, professor, author from the USA; State of the Great Salt Pond by St. Martin environmentalist Rueben Thompson; and French Nationality and Caribbean Identity by Raphaël Confiant, author, professor from Martinique.
The two general sessions are "Introduction to steel pan in St. Martin," by kaisonian Mighty Dow on Friday, June 4, and "Rebuilding Haiti’s Port-au-Prince" by a panel of experts on Saturday, June 5.
The main book launch and closing ceremony will take place on Saturday evening at the Public Library in Marigot, said Reiph.