Creative pupils should get ready. The semi-finals for schools of the Power in the Voice competition are being held next Saturday 29th September at Imperial College in Forest-Side at 4.30 pm. The potential artists have been preparing this event for months ? since last February ? with the precious help of their 12 mentors in a series of workshops to create original oral performance.

Power in the Voice is an innovative and creative programme set up by the British Council for local students. It uses oral art forms to develop and empower young people through poetry, rap and slam for instance. ?Creativity in education is an ?enabling? factor providing young people with opportunities to build their confidence by finding their voices,? said the marketing, PR and projects manager of the British Council, Yasmin Hedoo.

In order to mark the beginning of a series of activities leading up to the semi-finals, a street art event was organised at the school last Thursday. A mere glance at the outside wall of Imperial College gives a quick idea of the exciting and eye-catching designs made by well-known local artist and school mentor, Aie Ki Latchoumz. The designs and messages on the wall are in line with the Power in the Voice programme.

The programme will also see the visit in Mauritius of the renowned UK poet Philip Wells, better known as the ?Fire Poet?. He will be working in close collaboration with local artists to prepare the semi-finals where he will be one of the judges. He will also perform live on this special occasion. On Friday 28th he will conduct a workshop for English literature teachers at the British Council?