ANGELLA O’Brian of Belle Vue, Vieux-Fort, has made a big step in her poetic journey.

O’Brian attended the 40th edition of the Paris Poetry Market, which was held in Paris, France, from June 7-10, where she shared her work with poets and publishers from around the world.

She was the only St Lucian selected among 10 young poets from the Caribbean.

The poetry market is one of the most important literary events in France and Europe. Through a programme of activities, including public readings of their poems, meetings with publishers and exchanges between authors, young Caribbean poets will be able to expand their professional opportunities and strengthen their networks with key players on the European literacy scene.

“It was definitely an honour to be part of the experience. Paris was amazing. We interacted with lots of publishers and poets. It was amazing to be among other Caribbean poets,” O’Brian told Loop News.

According to a UNESCO release, “Featuring poetry as a reflection of the region’s cultural richness and diversity, the literary event presented the Caribbean as “guest of honour region” for the first time through the work of its emerging poets, selected from among 256 candidates, through an open call for applications.

This initiative resulted from a collaboration between the UNESCO Transcultura programme and the Centre for Information, Research, Creation and Artistic, Literary, Scientific and Technical Studies (CIRCÉ), which organises the Poetry Market, aimed at promoting access to new markets for young creators from the Caribbean.”

O’Brian lamented that poetry is usually on the back burner culturally and that people find that they do not make money from poetry.

“Things like music, fashion are always on the forefront,” she said.

According to O’Brian, she recently accomplished the writing of a book of poems called ‘Poetic Keepsafe’, which comprises 29 poems, written in both Creole and English.

“Many persons have reached out to me and told me that they are ready and willing to buy the books, which will be soon launched. The response is great,” she said.

When asked who inspired her to go into poetry, she replied: ‘I inspired myself. I started writing as a teen. The first poem I wrote was out of rage and from then I just started writing and could not stop. I have had different experiences, and have been able to better express it in writing.” (Loop News)