Collaborative workshop aims to revitalise slam povetry in Seychelles and Rodrigues |31 August 2023
The workshop in session (Photos: Louis Tousssaint)
The Creative Seychelles Agency, in collaboration with facilitator Jean Stelio Pierre Louis from Rodrigues, aims to revamp slam poetry in Seychelles through an engaging workshop.
Speaking at the International Conference Centre Seychelles (ICCS), Emmanuel D'Offay, executive director of Creative Seychelles Agency (CSA), explained the organisation's mission of fostering artistic diversity across Seychelles.
Reflecting on the evolution of slam poetry in the region, Mr D'Offay highlighted its ephemeral presence in the past, emphasising the potential missed opportunities for regional and international engagement. "Seychelles misses out on a lot of chances to participate in either regional or international competitions but this depends entirely on you all, on your interests to revive this form of poetry," he told the dozen poets who took ,part in the one-day session.
The forthcoming workshop, he asserted, aims to reignite passion and equip slammers with the tools and enthusiasm needed to rejuvenate the poetic form.
Mr D’Offay also underscored the universal challenge of ascending to an international or professional level in the arts. He recognised the scarcity of resources and skills among Seychellois artists aspiring to showcase their talent globally.
Conveying the requisites of international recognition, including honed abilities, strategic resources, and compelling self-promotion, he stressed a departure from complacency and an aspiration to greater accomplishments within the creative sector.
As various artistic domains gain global prominence, Mr D’Offay highlighted Seychelles' burgeoning achievements, particularly in visual arts. "We are bringing artists on an international level for the simple reason of them getting visibility and secondly, the artists can sell their work on an international level," he stated.
Concluding on CSA's supportive role, he affirmed the agency's commitment to empowering artists and poets, while underlining the artists' personal responsibility in the journey. "This is something that has to be very clear, this is our policy and our principle, and we will do everything we can to assist you, give you the baggage that you need but the final result will be up to you."
In closing, he drew attention to an ongoing census aimed at cataloguing Seychelles' artistic community, encapsulating CSA's comprehensive approach to understanding and promoting the nation's creative landscape. He also emphasised a need for a union in order to understand the artists and commit to them.
Mr Stelio, a prominent figure in the world of slam poetry, with a collection of international honours to his name, highlighted his extensive involvement with Seychelles' poetry community on his fourth visit to the nation.
He remarked, "I have learnt a lot from Seychellois poets; the culture and the way they write. And there are a lot of problems which Seychellois poets face. Do not think that in Rodrigues we do not face the same issues, because we do."
Anticipating the workshop's proceedings, Mr Stelio conveyed, "during the workshop, there will be a discussion on how to make things progress and evolve, what are some of the similar problems between the two countries and how to remedy the situation." He also expressed his intention to promote the practical aspect of poetry in various forms chosen by poets, including "spoken words, slam, and many more."
His aim is to enhance the accessibility and popularity of poetry in its diverse manifestations.
A dozen poets took part in the one-day session.
Sunny Esparon
