Hemayel Martina

Who is Hemayel Martina?

Hemayel Michael Anthony Martina was a Curaçaon young poet. While studying at the International School of Curaçao, the young 17-years-old Hemayel Martina started writing poems addressed to the young and that culminated in 2010 into a book with a collection of 39 interrogative poems entitled Ansestro Preokupá Sosegá. With an alternative English language title Worried Ancestor: Rest in Peace, the poems tackled subjects varying from politics to music to sports, and were about various personalities with important contributions to Curaçao.

After residing for a while in Leiden, Netherlands, and continuing his university education at Webster University in Leiden, he had joined his mother last year in the newly created country Curaçao. Touring with his friend and musician Levi Silvanie, he used to recite of his poetry in various venues mixed with musical performances by his Silvanie. They both organized a night of poetry and music on local television. He also toured South Africa in December 2010.

Upon his return to Curaçao, he died as a result of heavy injuries suffered in a car accident. He was buried in Curaçao.