St. Martin Poet Returns From Tortola Festival
Safiyya Chance, who judged the Stingray Poetry Slam, came home November 8, 2026, after performing at the BVI Literary Arts Festival.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Cultural
St. Martin poet Safiyya Chance returned home from Tortola on November 8, 2026, after taking part in the BVI Literary Arts Festival held November 5-8. She served as one of four judges for the Stingray Poetry Slam and performed her poetry, including a new piece titled "Waatating."
Why it matters
The festival drew nearly 50 writers, editors, and artists, and Chance's participation connects St. Martin's literary community to the wider Caribbean arts scene. Her role as a judge and performer highlights regional exchange among island poets.
The 2026 festival brought together nearly 50 participants across November 5-8, with four judges scoring the Stingray Poetry Slam. The source does not provide attendance figures or prior-year comparisons.
The players
Safiyya Chance
A St. Martin poet who served as a judge and performer at the 2026 BVI Literary Arts Festival.
H. Lavity Stoutt Community College
The Tortola-based institution that organises the annual Stingray Poetry Slam competition.
The details
Chance joined the festival as an invited writer, sitting on the 'Say It: Poetry & Voice' panel on November 6 and performing at the Poets' Showcase on November 7. The Stingray Poetry Slam, organised annually by H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, was integrated into the festival programme, with Roelle Baird, Niaeika Aymer, and Amber Hastings taking first, second, and third place.
Timeline
November 5-8, 2026: BVI Literary Arts Festival held in Tortola.
November 6, 2026: Chance sits on the 'Say It: Poetry & Voice' panel.
November 7, 2026: Chance performs "Waatating" at the Poets' Showcase.
November 8, 2026: Chance returns to St. Martin.
Cultural Exchange
Chance's appearance at the BVI Literary Arts Festival places a St. Martin poet within a Caribbean literary circuit that brings writers from neighbouring islands onto the same stage. The festival's integration of the Stingray Poetry Slam ties a competitive youth-oriented format into its broader programme.
Readers interested in Caribbean poetry can follow the Stingray Poetry Slam, which H. Lavity Stoutt Community College runs each year. Upcoming festival dates or ticketing details are not provided in the source.
The takeaway
Regional poetry circuits connect island artists through shared stages and competitions, giving emerging voices a route beyond their home shores. Following festivals and slams like the Stingray Poetry Slam is one way for readers to discover new work from across the Caribbean.
Further reading
Explore more Cultural coverage for context on regional arts and literature.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Herald.
