Hemayel Michael Anthony Martina (24 October 1990 – 29 January 2011) was a Curaçaoan poet. While studying at the International School of Curaçao, the 17-year-old Martina started writing poems addressed to young people. Later, these were collected in a book, with each poem appearing side by side in both Papiamento and English. The book has two titles: Ansestro Preokupá Sosegá (Papiamento) and Worried Ancestor Rest in Peace (English). The poems explore politics, music, sports, and various personalities who have made important contributions to Martina's homeland of Curaçao.[1][2]

After residing for a while in Leiden, Netherlands, and continuing his university education at Webster University in Leiden,[3] he toured Curaçao with musician and friend Levi Silvanie. They performed at various venues combining poetry with Silvanie's music.[4] They both organized a night of poetry and music on local television.[5] He also toured South Africa in December 2010.[6]

On 29 January 2011, while touring Curaçao, he died from injuries suffered in a car crash. He was buried in Curaçao.[7]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ Rosabelle Illes, Crisen Schorea, Levi Silvanie, "Ansestro Preokupa Sosega paso Ami ta Korsou", August 18, 2015; the text of this post archived on January 14, 2016
  2. ^ Hemayel Martina ta presentá: ”Ansestro prekupá, sosegá” (in Dutch and English); archived on January 14, 2016
  3. ^ Two Webster Students Publish Books, November 28, 2010, Webster University; this is an archive snapshot of a page that is no longer available on Webster's website
  4. ^ RNW: Dichter Hemayel Martina omgekomen bij auto-ongeluk Archived 2011-02-02 at the Wayback Machine (in Dutch)
  5. ^ Poet of Curaçao: Hemayel Martina interviewed by Lee Bob Black
  6. ^ Anne de Graaf, "Hemayel Martina: 12 October 1990 - 29 January 2011", archived on January 14, 2016
  7. ^ "Hemayel Martina had een missie" (in Dutch), Radio Nederland Wereldomroep (RNW); archived September 29, 2012

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