Bermuda Anthology of Poetry Volume II
The Minister of Youth, Families, Sports and Community Development Glenn Blakeney praised the publication of This Poem-Worthy Place: Bermuda Anthology Of Poetry Volume II, at the official book launch at the Bermuda National Gallery held last week.
“As the Minister responsible for culture, I am delighted by Bermuda’s literary scene, evidenced by the publication of this anthology,” Minister Blakeney said. He added: “I would like to thank the editor of this publication and our Writer-in-Residence, Mr. Kendel Hippolyte, who provided a three week workshop including individual sessions with local poets Alan C. Smith, B. Candace Ray and Nick Hutchings.”
During the past five years, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs has placed special emphasis on the development of Bermuda’s literary arts. As a result of this emphasis, Bermudian writing has been promoted through a number of initiatives including but not limited to the Bermuda Literary Awards; the publication of books celebrating our cultural heritage such as Florenz Webbe-Maxwell’s The Spirit Baby and Other Bermudian Folktales; the Bermuda Book Fair; multiple Writer-in-Residence programmes featuring award-winning writers such as Mervyn Morris, Olive Senior, Michael Gilkes and Kendel Hippolyte; and now, the publication of a second volume of a national poetry anthology.
The first volume, the Bermuda Anthology of Poetry, was published in 2006 and was well-received by the community and visitors alike. Folklife Officer Dr. Kim Dismont Robinson said the first anthology set a standard for Bermuda’s poetry, and has been used not only as a book for many to enjoy, but also as a teaching tool, an insightful glimpse into our society, and a reference manual for determining who our local poets actually are.
This second anthology continues and progresses the work that began with the first. “We have the chance to observe how some of our more consistent and dedicated poets have developed, and we have the opportunity to hear the voices of some emerging writers,” Dr. Dismont Robinson said. The book is dedicated to the memory of the late Brian Burland who passed away earlier this year after having made an invaluable lifetime contribution to the literary arts.
The book, which carries a suggested retail price of $20, is available at The Bookmart, People`s Pharmacy, Bermuda Bookstore and Robertsons in St Georges.
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