The following is a statement sent to Devant Maharaj in response to a letter from him about East Indian involvement in the recently concluded National Poetry Festival The full text of Mr Maharajs letter is also included

Eintou Springer will be one of the feature writers at the upcoming Caribbean American Book and Art Fair CABAtaking place in Miami this JuneThe Fair will feature presentations by some of the literary luminaries of the Caribbean region including Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott

The Idakeda team will partner once again with the Ministry of Education to implement their unique Baby Doll Interventions for students and teachers

Chibale pron chee bah leh the drumming group comprising the children of Idakeda recently performed before a large and appreciative audience in honour of internationally renowned Cuban scholar Dr Carlos Moore

Eintou Pearl Springer gives a retrospective of her service as Poet Laureate of the City of Port of Spain as another successful National Poetry Festival came to a close Ms Springer delivered her remarks at a gala function at the National Museum which saw the mantle of Poet Laureate of Port of Spain being passed to Anson Gonzales

Soca Poet Maximus Dan will electrify Woodford Square on Friday March 20th as part of the National Poetry Festival 2009 The Soca artiste known worldwide for his soulful and passionate song Fighter written for the Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors World Cup bid will headline a host of highly acclaimed poets at the concert

A touching film about a family living with the discrimination caused by HIV and AIDS was the catalyst for an open and frank dialogue among young people attending the Poetry Festival Panel Discussion on Monday

Cultural and literary royalty turned out in their numbers on Sunday for the start of the 2009 National Poetry Festival at the National Museum and Art Gallery National icons such as Earl Lovelace Bill Trotman and Brother Resistance showed their support for the young poets of our nation who launched the Festival in fine style

The National Poetry Festival 2009 which culminates on March 21st World Poetry Day will deal with the critical issue of HIV and AIDS The theme of the Festival is Defying the Disease through the Power of the Word Resisting Stigma and Discrimination The organisers Idakeda and the Circle of Poets have partnered with the National AIDS Coordinating Committee NACC to put together a week long programme geared at both adults and children with all activities focussing on this theme