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‘Literacy Street Fair’ slated for Friday
Popular poet and writer Petamber Persaud once said that, “A nation that celebrates its literature is a nation on its way to realizing its full potential.”
Recognizing the significance of such a notion and the importance of celebrating our intellectual legacy during the Mashramani festivities, four local agencies in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport will be hosting a “Literacy Street Fair” this Friday on Main Street, Georgetown.
FLASHBACK: Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, observing one of the displays during the first book fair on Main Street in 2011
The four agencies involved are; the National Archives, the National Library, the University of Guyana and the Guyana Reading and Research Centre (Bookland).
But this initiative is not the first of its kind. It was initially started by Mr. Persaud in 2011 for Mashramani under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture. However, despite an overwhelming response to the first literacy street fair, the “purpose-filled” idea was not followed up for two years.
“I coordinated the first one for the Culture Ministry. It’s difficult getting persons within four walls to look at books, and so the idea was to take the books to people on street and put it in their path and hope that they would develop a sense of appreciation, as it was noted that most citizens are not making full use of institutions like the Library.
“The first time we did it the response was awesome and it seemed that people were waiting for something like this. However, there was no follow up to that exercise in 2012 or 2013,” Persaud told this publication on Sunday last
Nevertheless, the activities slated for this day dedicated to reading and sharing the work of the nation’s renowned writers were revealed by hostess, Michelle Abraham-Ali on her show, “Mash Round-up” which was aired on National Communications Network (NCN) TV (Channel 11), also on Sunday last.
The panel comprised Bookland’s Director Rupert Hopkinson, Nadine Moore of the National Library, Nadia Carter of the National Archives and Debra Law of the University of Guyana.
The entire group was in agreement with the initiative to include a day that celebrates the works of Guyanese writers and others as well.
Ms. Moore in her remarks explained that on Friday, the National Library will be featuring the works of local writers under a reading tent which will also prove to be a most conducive environment for dramatic poetry and storytelling by the hour.
She explained that their effort to partake in the event is also in collaboration with the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).
The representative for the University of Guyana, Ms. Law, also took the opportunity to inform that the works of the winners of the Guyana Prize for Literature will also be on display.
Following her, was Ms. Carter, who explained that her agency is hoping to get the Guyana Classics into circulation. The Guyana Classics is a series of published titles by the Caribbean Press which celebrates and captures the work produced by a number of outstanding writers. Some of these include; ‘The Discovery of Guiana’ by Sir Walter Raleigh which was first published in 1595, and ‘The Coolie: His right and wrongs’ by John Edward Jenkins.
Mr. Hopkinson on the other hand stressed that while the initiative is intended to target students, he said that he hopes the initiative draws the interest of parents and guardians as well, as they can be very instrumental in instilling a sense of appreciation for reading in their children.
It was also noted that important books needed by students during their school term will be on sale at affordable prices. Some books needed at the University level will also be available. (Kiana Wilburg)
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