LAST Thursday, May 17, 2014, at high noon, the National Library hosted the winners of the 2012 Guyana Prize for Literature in appreciation of their contribution to the literary arts. 

That contribution obviously included the writing of poetry, fiction and drama; but on another level, the contribution embodied self-publishing, writing from within and writing from afar, writing on daily issues, themes and s of view. The event was also staged as an inspiration to emerging writers, to validate the importance of writing and to heighten the awareness and appreciation of Guyanese literature. The target audience was mainly secondary school students who reciprocated by staying back long after the formal programme had ended to interact robustly with the writers. Informal forums sprung up around each of the three writers and there was no let up in the interaction, there was no let off from the probing questions.
Three of the five winners were present for the event, namely Ruel Johnson, Chaitram Singh and Mosa Telford. Three-time winner of the Prize, Dr Ian McDonald, and first time winner, Ms Cassia Alphonso were absent, but they were represented through the reading of their poetry by Ms Donna Sergeant and Petamber Persaud respectively.
At his turn, Johnson read a poem and used his allotted time to engage all present, especially two brave students, on the reasons for writing. The two emerging writers indicated their intention to write by first the show of hands, then by standing, and finally by taking to the podium to ventilate their interest. Singh read excerpts from his two novels, ‘The Flour Convoy’ and ‘February 23 , after giving a background to the writing of the books and after speaking modestly about his life and work. Telford read from her play, ‘Sauda’; it was an awesome delivery of drama, the presentation of which was enthusiastically received; be it said that all the presentations were well-received.
During the open floor discussion, yours truly fielded questions such as the role of fiction, the role of the writer in society, while many wanted to learn more about drama, being duly affected by the presentation by Telford which included how the playwright worked on the storyline.
The 2012 Guyana Prize was awarded in September 2013. Following are the five winners of which four are locally based.
Ruel Johnson won the Best Book of Fiction award for his manuscript, ‘Collected Fictions’. Johnson is a second-time winner.
Chaitram Singh, the foreign based Guyanese won in the Best First Book of Fiction category with his novel, ‘The Flour Convoy’. Singh’s other entry, ‘February 23 Coup’ was shortlisted for best book of fiction category.
Cassia Alphonso’s ‘Black Cake Mix’ and Ian McDonald’s ‘The Comfort of All Things’ shared the award in the category of Best Book of Poetry. Alphonso is a first-time winner, while McDonald is a third-time winner.
Mosa Telford won in the category of drama for her play ‘Sauda’, submitted as a manuscript.
The Guyana Prize for Literature was established in 1987 by the then President of Guyana, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, to ‘provide a focus for the recognition of the creative writing of Guyanese at home and abroad, and to stimulate interest in, and provide encouragement for, the development of good creative among Guyanese…’.
But the prize is more than that as seen through the words of Mr. Hoyte when he made the original announcement of the prize on February 23, 1987, saying, ‘the encouragement of good writing has valuable spin-offs in society…it encourages clear thinking and clear expression…if success in solving problems is to be achieved’.
In closing remarks, in a sort of coup de grace, Petamber Persaud referred to the Prize as a successful coup in the literary arts, mindful that the Prize is still a work in progress. Persaud preceded his remarks by referring to the February 23, 1763, Berbice Slave Rebellion and to the failed coup attempt in Singh’s book, ‘The February 23 Coup’.
High Noon at the National Library on Thursday May 17, 2014, had all the drama of the movie of the same name – good will always be victorious.
High Noon at the National Library portrayed good literature will always be victorious. High Noon at the National Library was meaningful literary interaction played out in real time.
Written by Petamber Persaud

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

What’s happening:
• The 2013-2014 issue of The Guyana Annual magazine is now under production. This issue is dedicated to A. J. Seymour and will focus on the increased interest in photography, the expanding arena for cultural activities, what’s happening in the Diaspora (Guy-Aspora) and will continue its role championing the cause of locally based emerging writers and of Guyanese writers in general, offering space and encouragement for their work.
• The first reprint of my book ‘An Introduction to Guyanese Literature’ is now available.