MAHO REEF, Sint Maarten—National Institute of the Arts (NIA) showcased St. Maarten’s culture and talent at the Parlatino Committee Meeting’s opening reception held at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino on Thursday, May 22.

The performance arts institution, known for both its cultural and contemporary repertoire, was charged with adding aspects of arts to the evening.

“The organizers of this event recognize that to showcase a nation's culture, you cannot really do it just through a speech, you have to involve the arts. You need an artistic element to capture the full St. Maarten story. So for them to recognize that and also that NIA is the premiere vehicle from which to display our island’s culture strengthens our awareness that we are on the right path as an arts institution,” Co-Director of NIA, Arlene Halley said.

NIA presented two dances and a medley of St. Maarten’s cultural songs, which highlighted folkloric, Latin and modern contemporary elements. The initial dance was an upbeat piece paying tribute to the polka and Latin influences on the island and was danced to the music of the island’s legendary Tanny and The Boys. The mixture of songs was sung by vibrant trio, Morenika Charles-Arrindell, Lena Browne, and Malaika Maxwell. The second dance, PAC-B-13, is a modern contemporary number, which was choreographed by NIA instructors Peggy Oulerich and EoIia “Bibi” Ada, along with Co-Directors Arlene Halley and Clara Reyes and is named for the quartet.

Each piece seemed to delight the attending guests and earned high applause.

“We always bring strong performance elements to all that we do, making sure that each piece tells a story about who we are as a St. Maarten people. When it comes to cultural heritage and its preservation we often hear about all of these wonderful buildings or natural spaces, but it is really the people who create the experiences that are had in the buildings or spaces, so it is the people that really create the legacies that live on and that is what NIA is all about, creating a lasting legacy of arts,” Co-Director of NIA, Clara Reyes said.

Latin American ParliamentParlatino is comprised of regional National Latin American and Caribbean Parliaments. The organization held its annual representatives meeting on St. Maarten last week.

SUCKER GARDEN-PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten - The United People’s (UP) party has started a “Green Friday” tradition asking all those interested to wear the colour green every Friday.  On May 23^rd the party also introduced “Drive UP” in the district of Sucker Garden and on the Pondfill.  Driver’s passing along the route could pull over and have their vehicle partly adorn with UP paraphernalia.  The UP Drive will be moving into the various voting districts in the coming weeks Soualiga Newsday has understood.

According to an UP party sympathizer who was on the scene at both locations, dozens of cars and trucks pulled to the side, and people were asking when they would be coming to their district.  “There is a green momentum building and the UP Party will be victorious on the night of August 29 sweeping more than eight seats,” the party supporter said.  

The UP party is one of the political organizations that will be participating in the upcoming national elections scheduled for August 29.  The UP party was the first political organization to register with the Electoral Council which took place on March 19, more than two-months ago.

The Electoral Council announced this week that political parties have until May 28 to register for the polls.

Postulation of candidates by political parties participating in the August 29 elections will officially take place on July 18.  Political parties will also have to present their party manifesto to the Electoral Council on that day.

Political parties will then move into full gear organizing various public district meetings to introduce their candidates to the people and address the issues and present their party’s solutions for the next four-year governing period. 

This will be the nation’s second national elections since achieving the status of autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 10-10-10.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten - The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams met with the St. Maarten delegation of the Kingdom Youth Parliament at the A.C Wathey Legislative Hall on Friday to personally congratulate the Youth Parliamentarians and their coaches Franklyn Richards and Connie Francis.

The Prime Minister stressed how impressed she was and mentioned that St. Maarten can rest assured that its political future is secure considering the performance at the 1^st ever Kingdom Youth Parliament: “I want to extend warm words of congratulations to all of you for your performance during the Kingdom Youth Parliament just a couple of days ago. You did a wonderful job and it is clear that with your commitment you were able to do an excellent job giving a dynamic and powerful presentation.

“I am extremely proud of our young people, how you were able to leave the historical baggage aside and to see how we can make cooperation happen. you have come up with some very concrete actions that they will undertake. It must have been a wonderful experience for all of you and all of us on St. Maarten can learn a thing or two from them.

“It is in Parliament that decisions are made and that laws are made; laws that governs our lives. The whole matter of debating is so important, it is important to be able to speak with authority on laws and proposals. That is a critical part of a Parliament, youth or otherwise. I know that our young people when called to step up to the plate do so with conviction and I said wow look at the future leaders of our country,” commented Prime Minister Wescot-Williams. 

Prime Minister Wescot-Williams for her part was thanked for her contribution to politics and for her inspiration to the team with regards to being able to speak with authority on various issues important to Country St. Maarten and for supporting the Kingdom Youth Parliament.

POND ISLAND, Sint Maarten - The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams attended various sessions of the Kingdom Youth Parliament, held for the first time on St. Maarten this past week at the University of St. Maarten.

The Prime Minister also had a brief meeting with Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix who was on island to officially open the Kingdom Youth Parliament, whose president Ms. Trumane Trotman hails from Sint Maarten. During the opening Ceremony the PM also interacted with the Youth Parliamentarians answering various questions. The PM will be meeting with members of the Kingdom Youth Parliament on Friday.