.jpg)
ON February 23, 1763, the first signs of a revolt by enslaved Africans in Berbice were seen by the plantation managers/owners. Those signs evolved and materialised into a tangible fight for freedom. However, at that time, it was considered a failed attempt. The ensuing conflict was a protracted one, running for almost a year. There were many major players in that conflict, but for the purpose of this paper, I will focus on one aspect: The correspondences between Cuffy, the self-proclaimed ‘Governor of Berbice’, Africans, and Van Hoogenheim, the official Governor of the Colony of Berbice.
Those correspondences form part of the ‘liberation literature’ of Guyana. Everywhere you turn, you could find bits and pieces of what I termed ‘liberation literature’, but that’s for another paper, or for the scholars to unearth and piece together. And what a fascinating read that would be!
On February 23, 1987, there was a liberation of sorts of Guyanese Literature with the announcement of The Guyana Prize for Literature. On February 23, 1987, then President of Guyana, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, who, when making the original announcement, declared:
“The flowering of the intellect; the appreciation of Man’s creative imagination are important.”
The mandate of The Prize dictates how the liberation of literature ought to be executed. The mandate of The Prize is to “provide a focus for the recognition of the creative writing of Guyanese at home and abroad, and stimulate interest in, and provide encouragement for the development of good creative writing among Guyanese in particular, and Caribbean writers in general.”
Since the first awarding of The Prize in 1987, there were more than 120 entries shortlisted, works authored by almost 70 writers. If each entry on the various shortlists has the potential to be a winner, then The Prize was responsible for bringing to the fore over 100 outstanding books/manuscripts.
Additionally, of those seventy-odd writers, The Prize was responsible for refocusing attention on the established writers, and opening a world of opportunities for emerging writers. So, the Guyanese bibliography has been extended, and the who’s who of men and women of letters enhanced due to the existence of The Prize.
Now The Guyana Prize for Literature, on its silver jubilee, has reached another landmark of its mandate by providing encouragement for the development of good creative writing among Guyanese.
This encouragement and development is taking the form of writers’ workshops and Master Classes. Let me hasten to say there were workshops held by The Prize in the past, but this time around, there was a concerted effort to hold three to four different sessions, including a master class and a workshop on drama.
The sessions so far have run into many long hours over many days. Areas of literature covered were poetry, fiction and drama.
Interest shown in the writers’ workshop sessions indicate The Prize continues to do as much as it could. This also indicates that interest in The Prize has risen to a heartening level. Awareness of The Prize has moved from the enclave of a small concerned group to other stakeholders who can reconcile literature to the development of the society.
This augurs well for Guyanese literature and for Guyana, the ultimate beneficiary.
However, there is much more work to be done towards the development of Guyana Literature; some specific areas need support, as mentioned in many of my articles on The Guyana Prize for Literature. (To respond to this author, either call him on (592) 226-0065 or send him an email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)
Those correspondences form part of the ‘liberation literature’ of Guyana. Everywhere you turn, you could find bits and pieces of what I termed ‘liberation literature’, but that’s for another paper, or for the scholars to unearth and piece together. And what a fascinating read that would be!
On February 23, 1987, there was a liberation of sorts of Guyanese Literature with the announcement of The Guyana Prize for Literature. On February 23, 1987, then President of Guyana, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, who, when making the original announcement, declared:
“The flowering of the intellect; the appreciation of Man’s creative imagination are important.”
The mandate of The Prize dictates how the liberation of literature ought to be executed. The mandate of The Prize is to “provide a focus for the recognition of the creative writing of Guyanese at home and abroad, and stimulate interest in, and provide encouragement for the development of good creative writing among Guyanese in particular, and Caribbean writers in general.”
Since the first awarding of The Prize in 1987, there were more than 120 entries shortlisted, works authored by almost 70 writers. If each entry on the various shortlists has the potential to be a winner, then The Prize was responsible for bringing to the fore over 100 outstanding books/manuscripts.
Additionally, of those seventy-odd writers, The Prize was responsible for refocusing attention on the established writers, and opening a world of opportunities for emerging writers. So, the Guyanese bibliography has been extended, and the who’s who of men and women of letters enhanced due to the existence of The Prize.
Now The Guyana Prize for Literature, on its silver jubilee, has reached another landmark of its mandate by providing encouragement for the development of good creative writing among Guyanese.
This encouragement and development is taking the form of writers’ workshops and Master Classes. Let me hasten to say there were workshops held by The Prize in the past, but this time around, there was a concerted effort to hold three to four different sessions, including a master class and a workshop on drama.
The sessions so far have run into many long hours over many days. Areas of literature covered were poetry, fiction and drama.
Interest shown in the writers’ workshop sessions indicate The Prize continues to do as much as it could. This also indicates that interest in The Prize has risen to a heartening level. Awareness of The Prize has moved from the enclave of a small concerned group to other stakeholders who can reconcile literature to the development of the society.
This augurs well for Guyanese literature and for Guyana, the ultimate beneficiary.
However, there is much more work to be done towards the development of Guyana Literature; some specific areas need support, as mentioned in many of my articles on The Guyana Prize for Literature. (To respond to this author, either call him on (592) 226-0065 or send him an email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)
