The first edition of Slamizik, a unique event that combines slam poetry and classical music, has come to a close with Julio Pierre Louis from Rodrigues emerging as the champion. The event, held at the Café du Vieux Conseil in Port-Louis, featured ten finalists who took to the stage to recite their poems. The audience was treated to a diverse range of performances, each with its own unique style and message. Julio Pierre Louis, also known as Ninja, was declared the winner with his poem "Zoli ti pei saz?".
The poem "Zoli ti pei saz?" is not just a declaration of love for Rodrigues, but also a commentary on the social issues affecting the island. Julio Pierre Louis spoke about the suffering, the unspoken truths, and the scourge of drugs that plagues the island. His words resonated with the audience, and the judges, comprising writer and journalist Shenaz Patel, teacher and slammer Zainab Soyfoo, and singer, slammer, and poet Lionkklash, were impressed with his performance.
Julio Pierre Louis's victory was met with applause and cheers from the audience. He expressed his gratitude and satisfaction with the win, saying that it was a moment of joy and vindication. He attributed his success to his hard work and dedication to his craft. For Julio Pierre Louis, slam poetry is about speaking truth to power and giving voice to the voiceless. He believes that slam poetry should be rooted in reality and reflect the experiences and emotions of everyday people.
The second and third prizes were awarded to Ivans Lafleur, known as Lafleur Malade, and Mathieu Loic Charles, respectively. Kelly Darnelle Ang-Ting Hone received a special prize from the jury. The event was organized by the delegation of the European Union to Mauritius, in collaboration with Culture Events & Productions, and supported by the Conservatoire national de musique François-Mitterrand, the Commission des arts et de la culture de Rodrigues, and SlamUp Poésie.
The ambassador of the European Union to Mauritius, Oskar Benedikt, was present at the event and expressed his satisfaction with the first edition of Slamizik. He announced that a second edition is planned for the near future. Julio Pierre Louis's win has not only earned him a cash prize of Rs 25,000 but also recognition and a platform to share his message with a wider audience.
Julio Pierre Louis's approach to slam poetry is rooted in his experiences and observations. He believes in using his words to speak truth to power and to give voice to those who are marginalized or oppressed. His name, Ninja, reflects his approach to using words as a tool to cut through the noise and to make an impact.
The Slamizik event has provided a platform for emerging poets and writers to showcase their talents. The combination of slam poetry and classical music has created a unique and captivating experience for the audience. As the event looks to the future, it is expected to continue to provide opportunities for artists to express themselves and to share their stories with a wider audience.
Key points
- Julio Pierre Louis from Rodrigues wins the first edition of Slamizik with his poem "Zoli ti pei saz?" and takes home Rs 25,000.
