Oral presentation: Menelik Arnell

The Pride of SXM Anthology is a dynamic literary initiative developed by Axum Art Cafe that captures the voices, stories, and creative spirit of Sint Maarten. Emerging from the island’s “Pride of SXM” poetry showcases and competitions, the anthology brings together a diverse range of writers and performers whose work reflects themes of identity, resilience, culture, and self-expression. Blending spoken word, poetry, and narrative storytelling, the project serves as both a platform and an archive—amplifying emerging and established voices while preserving the richness of the island’s contemporary artistic landscape. The anthology stands as a testament to Sint Maarten’s vibrant creative community, offering an authentic, collective portrait of life, pride, and expression in the Caribbean. The only condition for the book was to make your story about Sint Maarten, (good, bad, ugly) Winners of the poetry night competition would be automatically eligible for the book, others would be invited to submit their work for consideration. The book is now complete, the book is scheduled for release in June 2026.

The anthology has 24 authors included for 29 poems and short stories. This is the first time being published for most of them.