2014 in Review

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 November 19, 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.

2014 was another remarkable year for the literary arts in Guyana. From the start of the year to the end there were massive display and massive 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, 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 who have stayed the course, with feet grounded to the soil, experiencing the pains and joys of literature in transition.
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;
‘Reaching for the stars’ by Yesu Persaud;
‘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
‘Backmail’ by Julia Kanhai
‘My Father’s Wish’ by Andrew D.O. Hutson,
‘Bitter’ by Portia Dodson,
‘Racing with the rain’ by Ken Puddicombe
‘The Dumb and the Brave’ by Churaumanie Bissundyal
‘Death in the family’ by Ryhann Shah

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)

*Denotes books of which I know.

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

(By Petamber Persaud)