Late Guyanese literary icon AJ Seymour was placed on the National Library’s wall of fame on Wednesday as the nation continues its celebration of his 100th birth anniversary. The Guyanese, poet and writer was a significant force in Caribbean literature. Edited volumes of the pioneering magazine he established and edited, Kyk-Over-Al, were presented to the library and his niece Dr Jacqueline de Weever.
Speaking at the ceremony were Dr Ian McDonald, who took over the editing of the magazine upon Seymour’s death in 1989, and Professor David Dabydeen, editor of the Caribbean Press.
Deserved
In his presentation, Dr McDonald, who represented Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, explained that the literary magazine was republished under the Guyana Classic series. “If ever a work deserved the name classic, Kyk-Over-Al does.”
Dr Frank Anthony and Caribbean Press editor, Professor David Dabydeen
According to Dr McDonald, the magazine (named for the early Dutch fort on the Essequibo River) was founded by Seymour in 1945 and edited by him until 1961. Kyk-Over-Al published the work of significant Guyanese writers of the period — including Wilson Harris, Edgar Mittelholzer, Martin Carter, and Seymour himself, — as well as many writers from other territories of the Anglophone Caribbean. Fiction, poetry, critical essays – Kyk-Over-Al published them all, exploring the work of writers and shaping the emergent “West Indian” literature.
Dr McDonald noted that within that crucial period when literature was undeveloped in Guyana and the West Indies, the “magazine was absolutely essential in the emergence of nourishment of literature”. This has earned the magazine undying fame and it has taken on new life in this generation.
The Caribbean Press in re-publishing Kyk-Over-Al issues as Guyana Classics volumes has played a tremendous role in keeping alive vibrant Guyanese literary treasures.
Dr McDonald noted that there are more than 40 titles in the Guyana Classics series and in years to come, these will gradually find their way into the intellectual bloodstream of the nation and keep on refreshing and re-energising it, taking their place alongside the original 28 issues of Kyk-Over-Al.
Literary heritage
Dr Jacqueline de Weever also addressed the gathering, telling them that her instinct in speaking on Kyk-Over-Al is coincidental with the thoughts of others. “Ian McDonald and Al Creighton have both written on about their appreciation. People in general should know where their heritage is, because sometimes in these parts of the world, we think we don’t have a literary heritage or a musical heritage that is talked about in the north.”
Dr Weever stressed that Guyana and other countries do have a heritage and people worldwide need to keep it alive. She explained that in doing so, young people and generations to come will benefit greatly.
Joan Seymour, the daughter of the late poet, expressed her gratitude, noting that she was overwhelmed at the mere fact that after 25 years since the passing of her father, he is still being regarded and remembered as one of the greatest writers Guyana has seen. Seymour lamented the fact that her other siblings could not be part of all the celebrations for their father’s 100th birth anniversary, although not for lack of desire.
The Kyk-Over-Al Classics are available at the National Library for reading and the public is invited to take some time and enjoy them. Additionally, Chief Librarian Emily King is encouraging parents to get involved by taking their children to the National Library and sharing this treasure with them.
AJ Seymour
January 2, 1914–December 25, 1989
Attended Queen’s College on a government junior scholarship in 1928
Married Elma Editha Bryce, a teacher, on July 31, 1937. They had three daughters and three sons.
In 1933, he joined the British Guiana Civil Service, which he left in1962, for a post with the Caribbean Organisation, based in Puerto Rico. He returned to British Guiana in 1965, and worked with the Demerara Bauxite Company (Demba) until 1971. In 1972, he served as literary coordinator for the first Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta), held in Guyana; in 1973, he rejoined the civil service. He retired in 1979.
In 1945, Seymour founded Kyk-Over-Al. Over a 16-year period until 1961, he published 28 issues. During this time, he also edited and published several anthologies.
Starting in 1976, Seymour also wrote five volumes of autobiography.
In 1984, with the help of poet and novelist Ian McDonald, Seymour revived Kyk-Over-Al.
