It is not easy to pinpoint a definite time when the literary arts took off, spiralling to new heights, signalling a new era, heralding another golden age for the literary arts in Guyana. But over the past decade and a half, there was a renewed interest in the literary arts. This renewed interest is being consolidated year after year, so much so that some days literary events coincide with each other. For example, on 19 November 2014, while Stanley Greaves was in conversation with Dr Rupert Roopnaraine at Moray House Trust, Dr Juanita Cox was delivering a lecture on Edgar Mittelholzer at the Theatre Guild.
For the literary arts, 2014 proved to be a great year. From the start to the end of the year there was massive display and outpouring of support for the literary arts. Kudos to all those who contributed publicly or privately. And a special word of appreciation to corporate Guyana for this upsurge of interest in the literary arts. All of these things augur well for Guyana in that more voices are being added to the national discourse from varied places and via various angles. This discourse ought to go a long way evincing a better place in which to live, enjoying the bountiful benefits of the literary arts.
What were some of those things adding to the national discourse during 2014? Once again, it was the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport leading the way, and there was significant contribution from institutions like the National Library, University of Guyana, Castellani House, Upscale Poetry Night, Moray House Trust and, lest we forget, fledgling groups making their mark on the literary community.
Many academics, literary critics and literary luminaries visited Guyana, where some were afforded the opportunity to contribute to our literary discourse, namely Juanita Cox, Sharon Maas, Pauline Melville, Stanley Greaves, Jacqueline de Weever, Tommy Payne, Clem Seecharan, Rahul Bhattacharya, Gaiutra Bahadur, Chaitram Singh, Eusi Kwayana, Vibert Cambridge and Brendan de Caries, Vibert Cambridge, among others.
Of course, there was major input from local academics, literary critics and literary luminaries.
But it is to books we turn once more for the tangible show of support for the literary arts. Guyanese books, new and rare, are rolling off the press in a steady stream as if we are rediscovering Guyana. The gold Raleigh once sought is now unfolding as an exciting and enterprising Guyanese literature. Rediscovery is given new meanings with the reprinting of rare and out of print books by The Caribbean Press, Peepal Tree Press and other publishing houses.
Listed below are some of those books:
Memoirs, autobiographies,
biographies, histories
Dancing Between the Raindrops by Rudy Insanally.
Potaro Dreams by Jan Carew.
Coolie Woman by Gaiutra Bahadur.
The Idyll and the Warrior (Recollections of Edgar Mittelholzer) by Jacqueline Mittelholzer.
Glimpses of a Global Life by Sir Shridath Ramphal.
Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham O.E., S.C., National Assembly Speeches – Volumes II & III.
Beacons of Excellence: The Edgar Mittelholzer, Memorial Lectures – Volumes I, II & III.
From Ashes to Ferro-Concrete: A History of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 1924-2014 by Joanna Collins-Gonsalves.
Sport
Indian Caribbean Test Cricketer and the Quest for Identity by Frank Birbalsingh.
They Gave The Crowd Plenty Fun by Colin Babb.
Poetry
An anthology of Contemporary Guyanese Verse edited by Petamber Persaud.
Love in the time of technology by Sasenarine Persaud.
Heads and Tails by Pearl Lewis.
The Hinterlands by Stanley Niamatali.
Twenty-five Poems by Guyanese Children Volume I edited Rev. Gideon Cecil.
The voice and vision of Robert J. Fernandes, an unexpected adventure, by Robert J. Fernandes.
Literature
An Introduction to Guyanese Literature (third printing, July 2014) by Petamber Persaud.
Novel
Backslider by Julia Kanhai.
My Father’s Wish by Andrew D.O. Hutson.
Bitter by Portia Dodson.
The Dumb and the Brave by Churaumanie Bissundyal.
Death In The Family by Ryhaan Shah.
Racing With The Rain by Ken Puddicombe.
It would be useful to bear in mind that autobiography, memoir, biography and history accounted for a large portion of publications in 2014. (More on this category of writing in subsequent articles.)
Responses to this author: telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com
