AN impressive celebration of international, regional and Guyanese poetry was held in observance of World Poetry Day 2015 at the National Library Auditorium last Thursday. World Poetry Day (WPD) was adopted on 21st March by UNESCO. The production held at the National Library by the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama (NSTAD) kept with the message of WPD, celebrating the power of poetry in times of uncertainty and turbulence, bringing women and men together, to craft new forms of dialogue and to nurture the creativity all societies need

today.
Performances from the deserving winners of the 2015 Mashramani School Dramatic Poetry Competitions Justine Hamer from F. E. Pollard Primary, “If I told you I was deaf”, Marielle Barrow from North Georgetown Primary, “Who am I?” and Renaldo Thomas from Bladen Hall Multilateral, “This is Me” commenced the evening on a high note.
Representatives from the Embassy of the United States, the Embassy of Mexico and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China also took part in the celebrations by sharing poems and recitals popular in their respective countries.
Other distinguished pieces included an extract from Julius Caesar, “Portia and Brutus”, done by Lloyda Garrett and Sean Thompson from GEMS Theatre. “A Monologue From Brutus” by Masud Lewis and “Lady Lazarus” by Shyra Bruce, both from the Bishops’ High School, were excellently portrayed.

The audience was also treated to “I Love my Art” by Keon Heywood from NSTAD, “Home” by Elsie Harry-Ross, “After Carter” by Ruel Johnson, “Who wrote this Script” by Randolph Critchlow and “V” by Tamara Rodney from her second Book of Poems.
Outstanding recitals were also done by Donna Sargeant “Guyana Nice”, Kathyanna George “A woman’s Hurt”, Sara Bharrat from the University of Guyana with “The Bridge”

and “Groundless Fears”, Petamber Persaud with “Man and Woman” by David Dabydeen and Dr Seeta Roth accompanied by Mark Cyrus on drums with “The Porknocker”.
By Raveena Mangal