Lashley: Phillips will be an excellent advocate

Newly selected Poet Laureate, Esther Phillips will be an excellent ambassador for Barbados and a positive advocate for promoting the literary arts of this island
locally, regionally and internationally.

So states the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen A. Lashley on Wednesday before he presented the Poet Laureate with her papers – which were signed by the Prime Minister, the Honourable, Freundel Stuart and approved by the Cabinet of Barbados – at Ministry headquarters

He told the media that Barbados decided to move in the same direction as many other countries across the globe to appoint a Poet Laureate on the February 8 of this year.

He stated that a lot of names were thrown into the hat and Phillips was selected for this position which she will hold for three years.

“We believe that given her outstanding contribution and her strong commitment to the development of the literary arts in Barbados, that of course these are all very compelling and that certainly we believe that she will be an eloquent advocate for Barbados, enhancing of course both public awareness and being a source of inspiration in relation to literary arts.”

The Minister of Culture stated that this nation is in need of such an advocate for the literary arts and he added that he believes that she will be able to significantly strengthen this art form in Barbados.

“I believe that for many years given the development in literary arts, we are in need of such an advocate and I think that this will help to significantly boost interests in the literary arts and assist Barbados in its total development of persons who have an interest in the literary arts, and also boost the consciousness of the country in relation to the important role of the Poet Laureate,” he said.

In addition, her appointment is one that many writers and poets in this country are happy about because it shows that their work is finally gaining
the recognition that it deserves.

“I believe that the literary community in Barbados, particularly given the responses that I have received, are particularly enthused about this announcement because of what it means for the very significant work that has already occurred in Barbados. However Barbados of course because of the very rich array of the literary productions can stand certainly head and shoulders in relation to what has happened globally. Barbados has the opportunity and has for many years been providing excellent contributions to the literary works of the world,” he stated.