Literary Hang 2011
It is rapidly becoming known just as "The Hang," this gathering of
Guyanese writers residing primarily in the continental United
States. And 2011 witnessed its fifth appearance, before a very large
and enthusiastic crowd, on the cultural scene of New York. This year
The Literary Hang, a production of Guyana Cultural Association of
New York, Inc., was held in the lush gardens of the historic St.
John's Episcopal Church, 139-141 St. John's Place, Brooklyn, NY.
With its own history of letters and civil rights, this Parish was an
appropriate host and sponsor for an event that celebrated the works
of multi-ethnic Guyana in 2011, a year declared by the UN as The
International Year for the People of African Descent.
Throughout a well organized six hour span of conversation,
presentations, interviews and laughter, fifteen authors discussed
the act and process of their writing, read from their works and
willingly answered questions from a rapt audience. Although the
theme in 2011 was The Guyanese Word, The Craft, the event has always
presented non-Guyanese writers and this year was no exception.
Early in the proceedings refreshments were served courtesy of the
noted caterer, Philip Braithwaite. Appearing during an afternoon
that was so pleasant that one poet immediately wrote stanzas in its
praise were The Reverend Clarke Powers; Dr. Janice Emanuel-Bunn;
Kenneth Anderson; Dr. William Lloyd Andries; Leyland Hazlewood;
Rosalind Kilkenny McLymont; Rajiv Mohabir, Dr. Yvonne McCallum
Peters, Audrey Johnson; Maurice Braithwaite; Cynthia Nelson, Carl
Hazlewood and Percy Haynes. Interviews were conducted sensitively by
Matie Singh, Tangerine Clarke, Susan McHenry, Rosalind October-Edun,
and Dr. Vibert Cambridge.
The works and practice of the wordsmiths appearing included poetry,
drama, autobiography, history, self help, advice on trade,
children's works and fiction. Cookbook author Cynthia Nelson
launched her work, A Taste of Home, in New York at the Literary
Hang. The launch included a tasting of selected dishes featured in
the cookbook.
A vibrant and well received Open Mike section, during which Lear
Matthews, among others, performed, was conducted by Carl Hazlewood.
The afternoon was coordinated by Dr. Juliet Emanuel whose brainchild
the Literary Hang has been. Audrey Johnson of the San Francisco
based Audrey Johnson Show not only presented her own writing but
also filmed the entire event.
The Fifth Annual Literary Hang was recorded by Guyana Cultural
Association ably assisted by a team led by Ingrid Griffith. Copies
of the proceedings will be made available at the end of the season.
Details will appear on GCA's website. The much admired art work for
the event was created and produced by Claire A. Goring, Cultural
Director of GCA.
Dr. Vibert Cambridge, President GCA, closed the successful event
with an acknowledgment of the highly appreciative audience, the work
of members of the GCA, particularly that of Vice President, Romesh
Singh, and all sponsors of the proceedings.
|
THE LITERARY HANG
is a
gathering of men and women of the word in prose, poetry
and drama. It is the most recent production of The
Guyana Cultural Association/ Guyana Folk Festival.
Strictly speaking, it is an off shoot of the annual
Symposium, another of the GUYFOLKFEST events.
The non fiction authors,
poets, novelists and short story authors taking part in
this event hailed from Guyana or have Guyanese
connections. They represent bold attempts to capture the
physical, mental and emotional experiences that define
the Guyanese sense of being. This interrogation of
place, body, spirit and time crosses the boundaries. It
is an exploration and preservation of many voices, many
cultures, many pasts, many presents. It takes stock of
the now and anticipates the future.
Our writers show us the
way. Thank you for participating in this exciting
afternoon of words.
Juliet Emanuel |
