Words danced on the wind at the Holetown Chattel Village, as the Bridgetown International Arts Festival hosted its Soapbox Cypher last weekend transforming an ordinary lunchtime into a vibrant celebration of spoken word.
Local and visiting poets commandeered an open-air stage, captivating passersby with their passionate performances. Tourists and locals alike found themselves pausing, drawn by the magnetic energy of spoken poetry that challenged, inspired, and resonated.
It was a stirring pot of talent as performers from across the Caribbean took to the mic. The event featured six gifted artists: Cyndi Celeste and Timon Howard, of Barbados, Tanicia Pratt hailing from The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago’s Zakiya Gill and Kedisha Thomas, and Angella O’Brien, of St Lucia. Their voices carried themes of empowerment, social commentary, and personal reflection, transforming the public space into a vibrant canvas of artistic expression. With no time limits and a format allowing each poet to share multiple pieces, the Soapbox Cypher embodied the festival’s commitment to accessible, engaging public art. The cool breeze seemed to whisper alongside the poets, creating an atmospheric stage where words could truly breathe.
As the performances unfolded, the Chattel Village became
more than just a location – it transformed into a living, breathing poem, demonstrating the power of art to interrupt daily rhythms and invite collective reflection.
The Bridgetown Arts Festival continues today with the Music is Life concert and concludes on Sunday with Music and the Word: Hymns my Mother Taught Me.
(DDS)
