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
Papiamento () or Papiamentu (; nl, Papiaments) is a Portuguese-based creole language spoken in the Dutch Caribbean. It is the most widely spoken language on the Caribbean ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao), with official status in Arub ...
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.
After residing for a while in
Leiden
Leiden (; in English and archaic Dutch also Leyden) is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland, Netherlands. The municipality of Leiden has a population of 119,713, but the city forms one densely connected agglomeration wit ...
,
Netherlands
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, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
, and continuing his university education at
Webster University
Webster University is a private university with its main campus in Webster Groves, Missouri. It has multiple branch locations across the United States and countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs ...
in Leiden, he toured Curaçao with musician and friend Levi Silvanie. They performed at various venues combining poetry with Silvanie's music. They both organized a night of poetry and music on local television. He also toured South Africa in December 2010.
On 29 January 2011, while touring Curaçao, he died from injuries suffered in a car crash. He was buried in Curaçao.
"Hemayel Martina had een missie"
(in Dutch), Radio Nederland Wereldomroep (RNW)
archived September 29, 2012
/ref>
Bibliography
*2010: ''Ansestro Preokupá Sosegá / Worried Ancestor Rest in Peace''
References
External links
*A
archive of Hemayel Martina's website (HemayelMartina.com)
which is no longer available.
*A
archive of the Ancestro Preokupá Sosegá book's website (AnsestroPreokupa.com)
which is no longer available.
Hemayel Martina Facebook
"Poet of Curaçao: Hemayel Martina interviewed by Lee Bob Black"video)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martina, Hemayel
Curaçao poets
1990 births
2011 deaths