Nearly four decades of poetry, reflection and creative expression were brought to State House today as renowned Seychellois poet Tony ‘Raspyek’ Joubert presented his book, Verses in Dialogue, to President Dr Patrick Herminie during a courtesy call.
President Herminie commended Mr Joubert for his longstanding dedication to poetry and his contribution to Seychelles’ literary and cultural heritage.
Sharing his own passion for poetry, the President reflected on his experience as a writer and spoke about A Path to Utopia, a work particularly close to him. Their exchange highlighted a shared appreciation of poetry as a powerful means of expression, reflection, and dialogue.
Verses in Dialogue is a poetic celebration reflecting on 25 years of Raspyek’s poetry recitals and 38 years of writing. Written in Seychelles Creole, French and English, the book reflects the multilingual character of Seychelles while drawing on everyday life, social issues, and the experiences of the Seychellois people.
Mr Joubert, who was accompanied by the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mrs Amanda Bernstein, shared the inspiration behind the publication and reflected on the journey that has shaped his work over the years.
The President highlighted the significant role of poets, writers, and artists in capturing the experiences of a nation, giving expression to its people, and preserving its identity and heritage for future generations.
Beyond his own writing and performances, Raspyek has played an active role in promoting poetry in Seychelles. He was a founding member of the Bling Bling Poetry Association and was instrumental in the organisation of Bling Bling Nod, Seychelles’ first poetry festival, in 2017.
Born in Lebanon in 1977 and brought to Seychelles as an infant, Mr Joubert grew up in Takamaka, where his interest in poetry developed from an early age.
He wrote his first poem while in Primary Five and has since established himself as a recognised voice in Seychellois poetry, building a body of work that reflects on society, culture and everyday life while contributing to the growth and appreciation of poetry in Seychell
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
