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Newsletter - March 20, 2008
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Literary Lasana: St. Maarten’s Literary Powerhouse
By Melanie Reffes, Excerpt from Nights Magazine
Flashing his mega-watt smile and wearing a crisp white button down shirt,
Lasana Mwanza
Sekou is a happy camper people-watching at the bar in the popular
and swank Holland House on Front Street in Phillipsburg. With the cerulean
sea on one side and a bustling hotel lobby on the other, there’s no shortage
of fodder for his imagination. “People and their stories are what inspire
me,” he smiles stirring a strong cup of coffee.
As the founder of House of Nehesi– the largest publishing house in the
Eastern Caribbean - the 48 year old is a literary powerhouse with a string
of eleven books of poetry, monologues and short stories to his credit. He
was a James Michener Fellow at the University of Miami, knighted by the
Queen of the Netherlands and the recipient of a fellowship at the
International Writers Workshop in China in where he created his
critically-acclaimed 37 Poems –referring to the thirty-seven square miles of
his beloved St. Maarten.
Born Harold Lake in Aruba, he grew up in St. Maarten and studied in the
United States where he
 changed
his name to Lasana Sekou - African words for poet warrior. After publishing
his first collection from his dorm room at the State University of New York,
he returned to St. Maarten having written four more volumes of poetry. On a
roll, he expanded his portfolio to include co-directing Traditions – the
Islands first drama extravaganza and producing the critically acclaimed Fete
CD of traditional music by the legendary Tanny and the Boys.
Ten years after it was first published, Brotherhood of Spurs, Sekou’s
powerful collection of short stories chronicling three centuries of St.
Maarten history has been reprinted for a new generation of readers. The Salt
Reaper, poems that delivers his thoughtful message of Island independence is
taught in high schools and universities. His work is performed on stage,
included in literary journals such as Callaloo and the Caribbean Writer and
translated into Spanish, Dutch, German and Chinese.
Despite being one of the most prolific writers in the Caribbean with a
schedule that would exhaust someone half his age, Sekou is a humble guy when
he talks about the accomplishments of HNP over the past quarter century. “We
are getting an increasing number of writer inquiries from around the world,
“he says with a shy twinkle, “imagine that?”
HNP has published the work of thirty authors including former
Nigerian diplomat Fabian Badejo,
controversial American author Amiri Baraka and high school teacher Wendy-Ann
Diaz whose children’s book Claude’s Adventures came out last year.
“Caribbean writers are world-class, “Sekou beams,” this new generation is
hungry for recognition which today is a realistic goal.”
In addition to mentoring young talent, Sekou is the project manager for the
HNP non-profit Foundation which promotes the arts through events like the
annual Book Fair held alternately on both sides of the Island in
June.
Back at the bar in the Holland House which is getting crowded during
Happy Hour, Lasana is still sipping the café he’s nursed for nearly an hour
while he chats to just about everyone who recognizes him . On his drawing
board include another collection of short stories, a documentary about Ponum
- the traditional slavery dance and speaking at conferences around the
world. “Even while I’m on the road, “he says, “I always look forward to
coming back home.”
www.houseofnehesipublish.com
Mark the Calendar:
6th annual St. Martin Book Fair - June 5 - 7, 2008
Founded in 2003 by Conscious Lyrics Foundation and House of Nehesi
Publishers, the St. Martin Book Fair is one of the must-see events on the
Island. Held every June alternately on both sides of the Island, the fair
attracts bookworms who come for three days of readings, workshops and a
chance to meet dozens of authors from around the world. ”
Amongst the new crop is Brother Rich, Nana Sweetie – an anthology of short
stories, vignettes and poems written by thirteen aspiring writers who took
part in the House of Nehesi Creative Writing Program. “As its editor, “said
Rhoda Arrindell, “I am honored to be selected by the book fair to represent
St. Martin writers.”
According
to coordinator Shujah Reiph, the event is now gaining the recognition it
deserves. “This year we were contacted by tourists from New York and
Puerto Rico, who are coming in just for the Book Fair, “ he said proudly, “
News about our cultural event is growing here at home and abroad.”
6th annual St. Martin Book Fair - June 5 - 7, 2008
Visit
www.houseofnehesipublish.com for information. |
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::LANGFIELD
ENTERTAINMENT:: ENTERTAINMENT NEWS WITH A CANADIAN TWIST::
