MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, has expressed sincerest condolences on the passing of Guyanese literary icons, Dr. Michael Gilkes and Mr. Samuel Rudolph Seymour, better known as ‘Rudy’.

Dr.  Gilkes was a celebrated poet, actor, playwright, director, and literary critic. Gilkes passed away, in England, on Tuesday morning, after spending three nights in the intensive care unit, fighting the Covid-19 coronavirus. He died at the age of 86. His last piece of work was a film titled, “Maira and the Jaguar People”, which was directed and produced in collaboration with the Makushi community of Surama.

Former Guyanese newspaper cartoonist, Rudy Seymour, succumbed in New York City at the age of 93. “Both Dr. Gilkes and Mr. Seymour have made indelible contributions to the Cultural and Creative Arts industry in Guyana and we hope that their families take comfort in the fact that their work will forever be cherished as tangible aspects of Guyana’s history” the Minister stated.