Reading Festival draws nearly 600 students, organisers say

The third Reading Festival: St. Maarten Edition was held on Friday 25 September and Saturday 26 September, with activities for students, families and educators, according to festival organisers. Stichting Biblionef Netherlands organised the event with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, the Library of St. Maarten, Help Our Children Foundation and the University of St. Martin.

Organisers said close to 600 students took part in the school activities and the opening of the family festival. They also said more than 2,500 new books, educational materials and language games were prepared for distribution to schools and children across Sint Maarten.

Form 1 students joined activities at the University of St. Martin on 25 September, while Form 2 students stayed at their schools for presentations by visiting authors. Authors from the Netherlands, Bonaire and Curaçao joined local writers for school visits, organisers said.

The family day at the University of St. Martin on 26 September included storytelling, author readings, educational games, creative workshops, steel pan activities and technology-based sessions. Organisers said materials used during the festival were expected to remain available through the Library of St. Maarten.

Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Melissa Gumbs opened the festival. She said reading opens opportunities for young people, develops imagination and can help them strengthen their voices.