The Guyana Annual 2007-2008, edited by Petamber Persaud and published by Guyenterprise (printed by Ramsaywack Arjun Printers and Graphics with layout and design by Robert Hoban) has been released, and went into general circulation following an official launching at Castellani House on Friday January 11.
The editor describes this volume as the “tenth anniversary souvenir issue” of the magazine which states its mission as “Promoting and showcasing Guyana’s literary and artistic talents.” The tenth anniversary celebration and launching was also the prize-giving ceremony for the Short Story, Poetry and Essay Writing competitions with which The Annual is associated in the fulfilment of its role in promoting these writing talents. The writing competitions have attracted quite a bit of interest, becoming something of a drawing card and adding value to the magazine. The opportunities provided, especially for fledgling writers, has been its major contribution.
However, if the full history and background of this magazine are taken into consideration, it has been in existence – sometimes performing this role – for some 92 years. The original version of what is now named The Guyana Annual was first published in 1915 and has a roll-call of different titles, different publishers and editors (including a few very distinguished names). It has also had a sometimes sporadic record with gaps, at different times, of several years when it did not appear or seemed to have stopped, only to reappear later, occasionally with a name change to reflect its new circumstances.
The best known of its various titles is most likely The Chronicle Christmas Annual which, like so many of its predecessors, eventually ceased publication and did not appear for many years. The “tenth anniversary” then, is in reference to the most recent resuscitation in 1998 through the efforts of Tulsi Dyal Singh and Vic Insanally when it returned, edited by Alan A Fenty, as The Guyana Christmas Annual. Previously, it had been carried by the Guyana Chronicle newspaper from which it got its name and with which it had been associated for a very long time. Following this latest rebirth, Petamber Persaud became the editor after Fenty, Ruel Johnson and Kojo McPherson.
For a couple of years the publication seemed to have decided to accord some deference to the Janus Young Writers Guild, by turning over the editorship to Johnson and McPherson. After the magazine’s re-emergence, members of Janus won many of the prizes, emerging as new writers. This must have given The Annual a strong sense of achievement and a feeling that it was fulfiling one of its mandates, thus inspiring it to go further in its developmental role.
This 104-page, 2007-08 edition of the Annual carries, as usual, a mixed offering of literature and many other kinds of features including Nostalgia by Godfrey Chin, Noise Nuisance regulations, 50 years of weightlifting in Guyana by Persaud, The Impact of World War II on Essequibo by Isahak Basir, The Rudeness of being Late by Ian McDonald and culinary recipes. Pertaining to the arts or culture there are pieces such as The National Archives of Guyana by Persaud, The restoration of the Theatre Guild by Russel Lancaster, The Passion of Gary Serrao (who runs the Guyanese Heritage Museum) by Ruel Johnson, and The First Music Festival of British Guiana by Lloyd Kandasammy.
The section ‘From the Guy-aspora’ carries poems by Elly Niland, Maggie Harris, Mark McWatt, Devon Dublin, Janet Naidu, Jacqueline Deweever, Fred D’Aguiar, Stanley Greaves and Cyril Dabydeen, as well as a prose extract by David Dabydeen. Apart from these pieces from that group of established writers, there is the major collection of poems, short stories and essays. This collection comprises the winning pieces from the various competitions.
The competition continues to be a main feature and continues to make its significant contributions. It has even widened its scope to include another lower age group and an added essay writing category, providing further opportunities which are deserved only by those with genuine talent. Below is the list of winners, which includes a few well known names such as Terrence Roberts and Joan Collins.
The 2007 winners
Open Short Story: (1st) Mosa Telford, Moment of Truth;
(2nd) Indrawati Flaks, De Tiga; (3rd) Paul Philips, The Bona Fide Nightmare
Open Poetry : (1st) Samad Baksh, Dawn;
Terrence Roberts, Wild Saviour; (3rd) Elroy Stephney, Subjection
Youth Short Story: (1st) Nalini Deonarine, Through the Eyes of Another;
(2nd) Daniella Swain, Daddy Gone
Youth Poetry: (1st) Mukanda Persaud, Live Your Life;
(2nd) Lalita Umrao, Condomise
Short Story for Children: Imam Baksh, How Monkey got his Tail;
(2nd) Joan Collins, Tony and the Parrots; (3rd) Pearl Lewis, Why the Parrot Feathers are Green
Poetry for Children: (1st) Indrawati Flaks Cat and Mouse;
(2nd) Pearl Lewis, Let’s Talk About Birds
Children’s Essay : (1st) Amandeep Singh Alvis, Discovering Guyana;
(2nd) David Robinson, Dadanawa; (3rd) Tishana Mayers, My Family
Poetry by Children: (1st) Shaquana Porter, Fruits;
(2nd) Shamel Rose, My Dog; (3rd) Latifah L Ross, The Swing
