This day, which is observed annually on February 21, was announced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999 and is meant to promote linguistic and cultural diversity.

Celebrations pertaining to the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world have been held across the globe since 2000.

In light of the fact that this year the third day of the annual Soualigan Fyah: Youth Poetry & Spoken Word Competition, which is organized by Foundation 5 Square Miles St. Martin, falls on International Mother Language Day, it was decided that this should be incorporated into the competition and that the young poets should present pieces in, on or about their mother languages.

“The young poets who come regularly to Soualigan Fyah’s monthly sessions, and who are a part of the competition this year, come from a range of different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, so I expect to be really blown away by their takes on the theme,” Lysanne Charles, Foundation 5 Square Miles St. Martin founder and president, said.
The young poets are expected to present one original piece in each of the two rounds of competition.

In the break between rounds there will be readings from older poets and from House of Nehesi publications such as Where I See The Sun, An Anthology; The Frock & Other Poems, Laurelle “Yaya” Richards; The Rainy Season, Deborah Drisana Jack; Skin, Deborah Drisana Jack; Tales from the Great Salt Pond, Esther Bradshaw; Songs & Images of St. Martin, Charles Borromeo Hodge, St. Martin Talk, Robert Romney and others.

“It is important that we celebrate all the mother languages that are found on our beautiful island, but it is also equally important that we pay respect to St. Maarten’s mother language in all its nuances and beauty and that is why we will be reading from the books listed, because their authors have all engaged with English as St. Maarten’s mother tongue in a variety of different ways,” Charles said.

According to Charles, it is well known that language is a vital tool in the dissemination of information and culture, and further, for the development of strong, cohesive organizations, communities and societies. This is why the three organizations felt it necessary to celebrate this day, particularly with the youth of St. Maarten who are in essence the ones who will soon be charting the island’s future.

“To paraphrase the honorable Nelson Mandela, ‘if you talk to a woman or man in a language she or he understands, that goes to her or his head, however if you talk to her or him in her or his language that goes to the heart.’ Poetry and spoken word are heart tools and that is why we look forward to seeing what the young people come up with on Friday,” Charles said.

The winner of the best poem, to be determined by a panel of knowledgeable judges, will be rewarded with a gift certificate of $100 from Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO to Office World and a book bundle by House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP). The second best will receive a gift certificate of $75 and a book bundle and the third best poem will receive a gift certificate of $50 and a book bundle.

SG UNESCO Marcellia Henry said that she is ecstatic to collaborate with both organizations and looks forward to annually organizing such events to commemorate UN – UNESCO international days.

The public is encouraged to come out and support the youngsters, while also celebrating International Mother Language Day. Competition begins at 6pm sharp at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library.

THE DAILY HERALD, Thursday, February 20, 2014