Celebrated Martiniquan poet to perform in Dominica

Celebrated Martiniquan poet, Joby Bernabe, is due to perform in Dominica for the first time on Monday October 21st, 2013 as part of the 30th Anniversary celebrations of International Creole Day.

Bernabe is the main act of concert which also features prominent poets from other countries of the French Creole Community. These include Claude Pierre from Haiti, Claude Danican from Guadeloupe, Ras Mo and Gregory Rabess from Dominica.

The poet boasts of a career that spans over 30 years and several album. He has also performed in various countries of the Caribbean, Africa and Europe. He is often considered the forerunner of slam poetry of Martinique, and is known for his unique, powerful and resonant voice as well as a rich poetic text that conjures up incredible imagery inspired by the creole culture and the tropical world.

The concert is being organized by the Alliance Francaise de la Dominique and the Division of Culture.

Gregory Rabess Coordinator of the event reminded the public that the Creole Symposium will take of on Tuesday 22nd October at the Arawak House of Culture.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday Rabess said “we have five mayors coming in from Guadeloupe and Martinique … coming in we also have Madame Yvette Gallo who is representing the President of the Concierge Regional of Martinique. We will have the presence of over 60 delegates from overseas.”

Rabess pointed out that the symposium will take place from October 22nd to October 24th and is an open event.

“Three major items for discussion include the Creole language and education, on day 2 we look at Creole and the cultural industries which is very important and on the third day we wrap it up with regional cooperation. So that is the focus of the dialogue and we are hoping that out of that we create a platform for regional cooperation particularly for cooperation among countries of the Creole world,” he said.