SIMPSON BAY, Sint  Maarten - The book of short stories, Love Songs Make You Cry – Second Edition by Lasana M. Sekou, will be launched at the Opening Ceremony of the St. Martin Book Fair on Thursday, June 5, at 8 PM, Gate 1, Princess Juliana Int’l Airport (SXM).

All of the stories by the St. Martin author “have been tweaked; the grandmother in the jumbie story ‘The Snoring’ is not so one dimensional—and we sort of find out the real reason why the teenager lost her baby; ‘Fatty & The Big House’ is back; and there’s a new introduction by comparative literature professor Michela Calderaro,” said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP). Love Songs Make You Cry – Second Edition is already at Van Dorp and Amazon.com bookstores.

Another book that will launch at the spaciously modern airport venue on Thursday, is Marie-Galante Regards by Max Rippon. “Max’s longstanding relationship with us inspired him to publish the book in French and English. And instead of releasing it first in Guadeloupe, he had his publisher hold back the new book for a St. Martin Book Fair launch,” said book fair coordinator Shujah Reiph. Books by Rippon and Sekou have been increasingly used in St. Martin’s schools. Pre-Book Fair activities are also increasing. In addition to Tuesday’s free film debut of Womanish Ways by Bahamian Marion Bethel, at Sandy Ground Cultural Center (7:30 PM), there will be a soirée on Wednesday, June 4, at Mr. K Cigar Lounge, said Reiph.

The discussion with Dr. Simon B. Jones-Hendrickson, will look at “Economic opportunities for small island territories and states; survivability of small island states and territories in the Caribbean; life after debt, and more …” said Reiph.

Dr. Jones-Hendrickson is an economics professor, author, advisor to the Prime Minister of St. Kitts-Nevis, and dean of liberal arts and social sciences at the University of the Virgin Islands. The discussion is scheduled for 7 PM, at Mr. K Cigar Lounge, Sucker Garden Road, said the Hon. Marcel Gumbs, senior politician and facilitator of the pre-Book Fair activity.

Media, copyright law, parenting and new technologies, creative writing, hair care, and mental health are among the workshop subjects that the Book Fair Committee is packing in the Saturday, June 7 program of the “book fair for the entire family.” The general public is invited to all book fair activities, which are free, including the Opening Ceremony, Presidents Forum, and Main Book Party, said Reiph.

For the first time, there will be an admission fee for the Literary Recital/Jazz Evening, and “that will be based on a ‘first-come’ basis,” said Reiph. For more Book Fair activities, see http://www.houseofnehesipublish.com/book_fair2040.html

“Crime&Punishment” is the theme of the 12th edition of the St. Martin Book Fair. Conscious Lyrics Foundation and House of Nehesi Publishers are the organizers of the book festival, in collaboration with St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, University of St. Martin, LCF Foundation, and St. Martin Tourist Office. The SXM Airport and SOS Radio are sponsors of the St. Martin Book Fair 2014.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten - The right of individuals to live in a peaceful society and the role peace plays in developing a country were central parts of Prime Minister Wescot-Williams address at the unveiling of the peace monument at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library on Saturday.

The Prime Minister attended the unveiling of the Rotary Club Peace Monument in Philipsburg by stressing that it is every citizen’s right to live in a peaceful and open society; “Today we are joining with the Rotary Clubs of St. Maarten and the approximately 1.2 million Rotarians around the world in this celebration of peace.

“However I think the importance of today’s event right here on St. Maarten goes much further: I believe that peace and the search for peace is one of the most sought-after commodities throughout the world. Today in any parts of the world Countries both big and small are constantly searching for peace. We can embrace economic prosperity, a healthy community and a prosperous people but without peace we will be short of our goals.

“And so this morning I join others in extending with our Rotary Clubs here on St. Maarten congratulations and best wishes with this initiative of the unveiling of the peace monument here in the middle of Philipsburg.  This monument goes to remind us here on St. Maarten how important it is to not only to act peaceful but also to speak of peace wherever we go.

“Too easy are words like respect, tolerance and cohesion spoken because it sounds good and not because of the meaning and what it requires from all of us. We all need to be the example in promoting these values so important in every society and every community. During the last couple of days I have been listening to words like; ‘a new rudeness, incivility, and anti-social behavior that act like threads throughout many of the discourses in the community. What we are seeking to promote here is something that persons everywhere are seeking after.

“I hope that with the unveiling this morning it will remind us of the central part that peace must play in our society. I pray and hope that with the unveiling of this monument we all will be reminded that peace starts with each and everyone of us. We should not only talk it but also walk the walk of peace. Peace belongs to each and everyone of us God grant St. Maarten and all its residents much peace, thank you,” commented Prime Minister Wescot-Williams. (Submitted by the Cabinet of the Prime Minister)

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake expresses deepest sympathy to the Leader of the United People’s (UP) Party and Member of Parliament Hon. Theo Heyliger and family, as well to Debby Zwanikken and family, on behalf of his Cabinet and Ministry VROMI with respect to the tragic passing of their son Curtis Heyliger.

“We are consumed with sadness to learn of the tragic loss of Curtis Heyliger.  Our thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow.  Word’s cannot express the sadness we feel for the Heyliger and Zwanikken families.  Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. May his soul rest in peace,” Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Wednesday.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten - The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams commented that there is a need within the Kingdom of the Netherlands to establish a positive program for the Dutch Kingdom in light of its two-hundred year anniversary.

The Prime Minister’s comments came as a result of debates in the Kingdom Youth Parliament held on St. Maarten last week where much focus was placed on building positive relationships between all Kingdom Partners; “I was very much impressed by all of the participants in the Kingdom Youth Parliament and how they stressed the need for a positive program when it comes to the Dutch Kingdom.

“I think it is very appropriate for the reflections that need to take place as we look at celebrating two hundred years of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We were extremely pleased that one of the first celebrations of the two-hundred year anniversary happened on St. Maarten and even more pleased to see how the young people debated amongst each other and the concrete recommendations and instructions that they had.

“I think overall the adult politicians in the Kingdom should learn a lesson from these young people; we need to move away from the premise that we are all not equal partners in the Kingdom. There is too much patronizing still from some politicians in the Netherlands towards the smaller countries in the Caribbean and we need to move away from that. I commended a member of the Dutch Second Chamber who recommended that Plasterk establishes a positive program for the Kingdom,” commented Prime Minister Wescot-Williams. (Cabinet of the Prime Minister)