SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Stories, voices, and languages from across Sint Maarten came together at the Sint Maarten Library on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, during the DEAR SXM (Drop Everything and Read) Book Party, a community celebration supporting the CLIMB Foundation’s National Literacy Movement and highlighting the importance of reading as a pathway to knowledge, connection, and cultural heritage preservation.
Held under the national theme, “A Nation Reading Together: Celebrating Literacy, Culture, and Community,” the Sint Maarten Library invited community members to pause their daily activities and join in reading together from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Library.
The event brought together library staff, invited guests, community members, patrons, and visitors in a shared effort to strengthen the culture of reading and highlight the importance of literacy throughout Sint Maarten.
Opening the celebration, the Sint Maarten Library welcomed participants with a message emphasizing the power of literacy and community:
“Today marks a proud moment as part of a historic National Literacy Movement for Sint Maarten. This celebration honors the joy of reading, the value of books, and the lifelong impact of literacy. A warm welcome is extended to our staff, library supporters, invited guests, community members, and everyone who believes in the power of stories and learning. May this occasion inspire continued reading, sharing, and collective efforts toward building a stronger, more literate community”.
A key highlight of the program was a public reading of J’ouvert, presented in the various languages written and spoken across both sides of the island. Nineteen readers from the library, the community, and visiting guests participated, including M. Spencer, L. Chintaman, M. Powell, K. Henry, D. Mathew-York, L. Roumou, B. Martin, G. Charms, B. Jean Baptiste, C. Arnell, L. Gomez, S. Nicolina, M. de Visser-Lemstra, W. de Visser, C. Decock, T. Peterson, L. de Weever, C. Samuel, and L.G. Henderson.
The celebration also honored the life and literary legacy of Lady Ruby Bute, a distinguished Sint Maarten cultural icon and Caribbean author. Recognized for her significant contributions to preserving the island’s heritage, culture, and identity, Lady Ruby Bute’s work continues to inspire generations through her poetry, storytelling, and autobiography. Participants paid tribute to her enduring legacy by reading selections from her poems and excerpts from her autobiography, celebrating the powerful role her writings have played in documenting and sharing the history, traditions, and spirit of Sint Maarten.
The National Literacy Movement reflects a collective commitment from individuals, organizations, government offices, workplaces, and community partners across Sint Maarten. The CLIMB Foundation developed the concept, while the Sint Maarten Library organized and implemented the DEAR SXM initiative, working together to encourage community participation and meaningful action.
The celebration was recorded and will be streamed virtually, supporting the vision of establishing DEAR SXM as an annual national tradition where the island comes together to celebrate literacy and the lifelong benefits of reading.
“Reading is more than a pastime; it is a gateway to knowledge, imagination, opportunity, and lifelong learning,” librarian M. Powell. “Through this initiative, we invite our community to come together and celebrate the strength of a people who read.”
The Sint Maarten Library remains committed to advancing literacy, strengthening community engagement, and fostering a lifelong love of reading among people of all ages. The Library extends its sincere appreciation to all staff, invited guests, community members, volunteers, patrons, and visitors whose participation helped make this year’s DEAR SXM Book Party a meaningful celebration of literacy, culture, and community.
