On the 26th December 2004, a 9.1 – 9.3 magnitude Earthquake ripped through the Indian Ocean when the Burma and Indian plate subducted. The result was a series of devastating Tsunamis with waves as high as 30 meters. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters ever recorded killing 280,000 people in its wake.
In response Humanitarian aid began to flood in, and people across the world donated or raised money through good causes.
I decided; I needed to do something, and on the 1st January 2005, I began work on an Anthology of Poetry, Prose and Art. A book showcasing the voices of the world, a bound historical account of humanities feeling and shock in response to unprecedented loss. Within days National and Regional Newspapers across England and the world helped our cause and fundraising. Articles were published in more than 100 Newspapers and Magazines, news broadcast on Radio and the Internet swept the story to all four corners of the globe.
Within weeks, work flooded in from England, India, America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Poland, Germany, Norway and many more.
The difficult task of choosing which Art, Poetry and Prose were to be published began. Some pieces stood out more than others, including a verse written by a survivor who on the 26th December 2004 was snorkeling of the Maldives, When the Tsunami struck he was swept across the Island and out into the Indian Ocean. He survived only because of a brave Swedish woman who risked her own life for his.
Their story went on to be written about and published in National Newspapers and Magazines and the hero of the story received a humanitarian award for bravery in 2005.
In May 2005 the Anthology was completed and published by Re-invention UK LTD, and the publication made it in time for the Humanitarian awards. The book went on sale there and presented as part of the award to the young Swedish lady.
For months afterwards the book continued in the National press, and went on to sell more than 800 copies. The book was off limited run and only one edition ‘First Edition’ was ever compiled and published.
The book raised more than £5000 for the Tsunami Earthquake fund.
Titled: Paint the Sky with Stars.
Title: Paint the Sky with Stars / Editor: Stephen Kuta / Publisher: Re-invention UK LTD / Published: 2005 / Edition: First Edition, Hardback / ISBN: 9780954989903
Paint the Sky with Stars is now out of print, and archived in the British Library. The collected works has gone onto become a valued piece of social history and credited in University Papers. The book has also become a valuable publication and sells for as much as £160, the book is sourced on the 2004 Tsunami Wikipedia Page.
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