Selected Poet Laureate to be announced

Shereita Grizzle, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's first Poet Laureate in 50 years has been selected. Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill is expected to make the announcement on Tuesday morning at the National Library of Jamaica during a ceremony scheduled to start at 10:00.

Representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and the Ministry of Youth and Culture, as well as specially invited guests from the field of literature are expected to attend.

The award is a national honour in recognition of a distinguished Jamaican poet for his/her contribution to the literary community.

The Poet Laureate is an ambassador for the literary community and should stimulate a greater appreciation for Jamaican poetry, especially among the youth population.

He/she should also expected to write poems for national occasions in addition to using prose to preserve and disseminate the island's cultural heritage.

The Poet Laureate is selected by a special committee which includes the chair of the board of management of the National Library of Jamaica, a representative of the Department of Literatures in English of the University of the West Indies, Mona, and a representative of the Poetry Society of Jamaica.

The selected person is expected to serve a term of three years as Poet Laureate, and his/her approved expenses are funded by a grant.

The Poet Laureate Programme is a joint initiative of the Entertainment Advisory Board of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, the Ministry of Youth and Culture, and the National Library of Jamaica.

shereita.grizzle@gleanerjm.com