Avellon Williams
SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS – To promote cultural understanding between the two allied countries, the Embassy of Saint Kitts and Nevis donated five English-language books to the National Central Library yesterday.
Educators and officials from the foreign affairs and education ministries attended a ceremony at the library in which Saint Kitts and Nevis Ambassador Jasmine Elise Huggins said the donation brings the people from her country and Taiwan closer together.
“This donation forms part of a broader initiative that seeks to introduce to elementary schools, high schools, and universities in Taiwan a wider spectrum of English literature through books written by us and about us, the diplomatic allies of Taiwan,” she said.
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Among the books collection is the children’s book titled Adventure at Brimstone Hill by Carol Ottley-Mitchell, which tells the story of three children embarking on an adventure following a mischievous monkey through a secret passage at the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park.
There is another historical novel titled Crossing the River by Caryl Phillips that tells the stories of displaced Africans around the world.
Huggins hopes that the books can help Taiwanese learn and appreciate more about their country’s culture.
By 2030, Huggins hopes the books will also contribute to Taiwan becoming a bilingual nation.
According to her, children in Saint Kitts and Nevis, where English is the official language, are encouraged to read voraciously to broaden their knowledge and master the language.
Tseng Shu-Hsien, library director-general, said the books would be available from tomorrow in the “Saint Kitts and Nevis Corner,” which will be decorated with Caribbean artwork.
According to Tseng, the donation came after a group of ambassadors led by Huggins visited the library in April and presented a proposal on cultural collaboration.
She expressed the library’s pleasure in being a platform for Taiwanese to learn about the nation’s allies.
