By Petamber Persaud
The longevity of The Guyana Annual magazine rest solely on the fact that the custodians of this publication have never shied away from change and innovation; in fact, change and innovation were embraced with a passion. And in the world of the arts, passion matters. Passion matters especially in a climate of little respect and little recompense for artists/writers. Without passion for the arts, without passion in the arts, many a good venture would die a swift death. So the magazine was always reinventing itself, meeting the needs of contemporary tastes. Without embracing constant change the magazine could not have survive this long – 102 years and counting – outliving its main rivals like the “Caribia” and “The Christmas Tide”, two early publications with sound groundings. The “Christmas Tide” was produced by the Argosy Company and the “Caribia” by British Guiana Lithographic.
Some of those modifications started as in the early 1930s, only 15 years after its launch in December 1915. In the year 1932, the magazine was the first to add colour to such publications. That innovation has enhanced the image of and endeared the magazine to a wider readership. Talking about a readership, in the initial stages when the production was in the hands of colonial administrators, the magazine was distributed far and wide among countries under the same colonial domination. It can be inferred then that at that period, the popularity of the magazine was in high esteem.
On the local scene, the magazine was also held in high esteem. In some years, advertisements outnumbered pages – any business worth its salt wanted to be part of the magazine. And in other years, the magazine was sold out. Oh, for the return to such response.
On the subject of advertisements – it is a researcher’s delight to go through those commercial and person promotions. Those advertisements hold missing and essential parts of our history.
Even in its 102nd year of existence, The Guyana Annual magazine, previously named the “Chronicle Christmas Annual”, launched in December 1915, is admittedly fraught with challenges but is managing to stay viable with more changes and innovations.
The production of a 2018 issue is now been handled by a management committee. Other modifications for the 2018 issue of The Guyana Annual include the reintroduction of photography and art competitions, and the introduction of competitions for journalism, cartoon, and drama. Of note, persons can win up to GYD$75,000 in cash in any of the competitions.
Of note also, the first prize for the Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Oil & Gas competition is GYD$250,000.
Competition rules are available on The Guyana Annual Facebook page or can be uplifted from Guyenterprise.
Entries can be submitted electronically via email address (theguyanaannual@gmail.com) or in hard copy format hand delivered to Guyenterprise, 234 Lance Gibbs & Irving Streets, Queenstown, Georgetown.
Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com
