Guyanese literature junction

Aug 24, 2008 Features / Columnists, Guyanese Literature

by Petamber Persaud

Recent articles in this column examined Carifesta issues: we were privy to various aspects of the Caribbean Festival of Arts from its inception in 1972 and its successful execution in Guyana to its present manifestation in Guyana, 2008.

During this series, we took another peek of those who were here then and will again be here for Carifesta X including Basil Rodrigues, Doris Harper-Wills, Austin Clarke, Francis Farrier, and Dave Martins.

We also paid tribute to those artists who have passed away including Martin Carter, Frank Collymore, Roy Heath, Basil McFarlane, E. M. Roach, Andrew Salkey, A. J. Seymour, Shana Yardan, Wordsworth McAndrew and Sheik Sadeek. We also paid tribute to the initiator of the Caribbean Festival of Arts, Forbes Burnham.
We also re-examined some Carifesta publications including the ‘Kaie’ journal, ‘Guyana Drums’ and ‘New Writing in the Caribbean’.

During this series, we had a look at venues used in 1972 including schools like St Rose’s, St Joseph, St John’s, Queen’s College and Indians Educational Trust, and other places like National Library which played host to the Book Fair and other related fares, the National Park, Theatre Guild, University of Guyana campus and the uncompleted National Cultural Centre. In that article, we tried to capture and recapture the spirit of Carifesta ’72.

And of course, we looked at the plans for Carifesta X including new venues, new features, new and emerging writers. We also had a peek at the novel Book Fair venue in the National Park where over thirty books will be launched.

The theme for Carifesta ’72 was ‘The Artist in Society with Special Reference to the Third World’. The theme for Carifesta X is ‘One Caribbean, one purpose, our culture, our life’.

From that underpinning of ‘The Artist in Society with special reference to the Third World’, we moved through a number of reference points in other themes like ‘A Hallmark of Cultural Extravagance’ to ‘Caribbean Arts and Culture…Reflecting, Consolidating, Moving On’ and ‘Celebrating our People, Contesting the World Stage’ to 2008.

These are the themes that bind us; those were the themes that tide us over in the early days of the Caribbean Festival of Arts.

The early days of the Caribbean Festival of Arts were fraught with difficulties. But the Caribbean Festival of Arts is here…and is here to stay.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: [email protected]

Literary update
• Please contact this writer on matters pertaining to the BOOK FAIR, BOOK LAUNCHING & READINGS for CARIFESTA X to be staged in Guyana from August 22 to August 31, 2008.

The BOOK FAIR will be staged in the National Park from Saturday August 23 to Saturday August 30 from 1000 hours each day except for the Official Opening on Sunday August 24 which starts at 1400 hours.

The readings titled, A FESTIVAL OF WORDS, will be at the Umana Yana on Saturday 23, Monday 25, Wednesday 27 and Friday 29 starting at 1800 hours.

• Look out for details regarding the production of THE GUYANA ANNUAL 2008-2009; this special souvenir edition will mark Edgar Mittelholzer’s 100th birth anniversary. We are inviting short articles, reminiscences and titbits to this effect.