English Speaking Union: Creative writing workshop for upper form students

A three-day workshop based on Creative Writing, was organised by the English Speaking Union (ESU), in collaboration with The President’s Fund for Creative Writing. From the 12th to 14th April, students from various secondary institutions had the opportunity to experience creative writing.

The English Speaking Union, in collaboration with The President’s Fund for Creative Writing (under the aegis of the Ministry of Arts and Culture), organised for the very first time a three day workshop on Creative Writing for Upper Form students. The workshops took place on the 12th, 13th and 14th April at the Greenwich University Pakistan Mauritius Branch at Ebene. 

Students from various secondary institutions namely Dr Maurice Cure State School, Eden College Girls,Hindu Girls College, London College, Loreto College, Lycee des Mascareignes, among others attended the workshop. This first time event was initiated by Professor Serge Riviere, Vice President of the English Speaking Union. The workshop welcomed various writers who are well-versed in creative writing.

It was following a workshop by Dr Roshni Mooneeram, Associate Professor and Global Consultant at the University of Nottingham on the ‘Creative Mind and Creative Writing’, that the English Speaking Union decided to organise the three day workshop, with the aim to encourage students to discover their writing talents in three genres namely Drama, Poetry and Short Stories. 

The first workshop focused on Drama. Senior Lecturer of the English Department at Mauritius Institute of Education, Rajendra Korlapu-Bungaree introduced students to the world of drama and how they can develop their writing of drama. Dr Sushilla Gopaul on her side held the second workshop on creative writing in Poetry. While listening to the lecture, students had at the same time the chance to do hands-on writing. The third workshop, also headed by Dr Sushilla Gopaul, author of short stories, guided students on the ways to write short stories. Students also had the opportunity to dedicate time to hands-on writing on short stories. 

Students’ feedback at the end of the three day workshop was more than positive. “They said that they have learned a lot and that they are looking forward to their own poems, plays and short stories. We have also noticed a real enthusiasm for writing among our Mauritian youth,” said the Vice President of the English Speaking Union, Professor Serge Riviere. He also underlined that the whole workshop was free of charge for the students and was funded by the President’s Fund for Creative Writing, under the aegis of the Ministry of Arts and Culture. 

Last year the ESU organised a workshop on creative writing for adults. The students of year’s first creative writing workshop for the youth received their certificate of participation at the end. “We have already viewed the drafts of their creative writing pieces and we saw many good pieces. They students will send us their work and we will be able to evaluate what they have learnt from the workshop. This three day workshop has enable students to discover their creative talent and also to trust their talent. Some of the students even confided that they are keen to publish their work in the future,” uttered the Vice President of the English Speaking Union, Professor Serge Riviere.

The ESU thanks the President’s Fund and the Greenwich University Pakistan Mauritius Branch for their support in making the workshop a success. The ESU is looking forward to set up the workshop next year.