By Shamar Blunt
The National Library Service will mark the start of its 175th anniversary celebrations with its inaugural Youth Speak Poetry Slam Competition on Saturday, against the background of continued interest in spoken word as an art form.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, when the 10 finalists in the competition drew their performing positions, the library service’s Acting Deputy Director Beverley Archer said her organisation was pleased to host the special event.
“This year we are happy to have the spoken word being presented as part of the Season of Emancipation 2022 and also as one of the first activities we are having for the 175th anniversary of the National Library Service…. Words are the basis of all our communications, of all our interactions, whether it is written or spoken out loud,” she said.
Spoken word artist Adisa ‘AJA’ Andwele, who helped organise the initiative, said the interest in spoken word as an art form remained high among locals, with an increasing number of younger persons regularly getting involved.
“I would say that spoken word has been on the up, particularly amongst young people. Only a few days ago, I was talking to a fellow poet and we were wondering if more young people are writing now than 20, 25 years ago. The whole spoken word genre is probably the reason that is happening. I may be wrong to say that more young people are writing today than 20 years ago, but it feels that way.
“A lot of young people are coming out, even teenagers are presenting spoken word. This event is going to grow once the National Library Service continues to support this initiative, and I think over the next couple of years we could have a major national event on the Barbados cultural landscape,” Andwele said.
The finalists for Saturday’s show, which will be held in Golden Square at 6 p.m., are Irijah Alkins, Cyndie Marshall, Ramone Blackman, Shamona Forrester, Raquon Hinds, Akeem Chandler-Prescod, Theo Greenidge, Nia Small, Naomi Hall and Malachi Hope.
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