Latest update May 14th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 17, 2015 Letters
Dear Editor,
I refer to your Peeping Tom article of Tuesday, February 3, 2015 under the caption “The Guyana Prize for Literature Should Be Disbanded”.
I have been associated with the Guyana Prize for Literature by way of being a judge on several occasions. I do not agree that the Prize should be scrapped arbitrarily. The arts and culture are the backbone of a society and so we must nurture the arts rather than throw out. Every nation needs such institutions that feed the soul just as its people need food, water and shelter.
However, the Guyana Prize is operating in the context of a paucity of writers locally and, as reported, mediocre work. These are not passing or superficial problems that will go away with a few ad hoc workshops in the run up to the Prize. The problem is more pervasive and the Guyana Prize cannot afford to bury its head in the sand where this is concerned.
Even as one of the objectives of the Guyana Prize is to nurture writers in the society, this does not translate into the Guyana Prize itself organising writing workshops. This is a misguided conclusion and a potential conflict of interest. The Guyana Prize cannot be judge, jury and executioner all in the same breath.
Creative writing classes should be offered at the Sixth Form level or at university level or other writing programs, independently of the Prize. In this sense Guyana is failing its aspiring writers by not providing such avenues.
The non-availability of works shortlisted for the Prize is another source of disappointment to the public. The shortlist whips up interest and critical reviews can be done when the shortlist is announced but the works cannot be obtained in Guyana either to borrow or buy. And even when books have won the Prize they are still unavailable.
A work of art mirrors society critically, but how are we supposed to see ourselves reflected in these works when they are not available? How is this society supposed to grow by the light of its artists and writers? How is the society supposed to read more when works that are deemed prize-winners are not available? People are supposed to read for the sheer pleasure of it.
I also cannot agree to Peeping Tom’s glib suggestion that “the Prize should be scrapped and the funds used to either revive Kyk-Over-Al or create some new journal that would provide access to local writers in all genres including short story and academic papers”.
This columnist needs to know that there is such a Journal published in Guyana that offers creative writing and academic papers. The Arts Journal is now in its tenth year and subscribed to regionally and internationally. How is it that Peeping Tom can attempt to write a critical comment on the state of the literary arts of Guyana and not know of the existence of The Arts Journal?
Peeping Tom might also consider that any academic Journal worth its salt wants to retain its independence and academic freedom and so will not seek subsidy from the state.
Under the circumstances, I would argue that a suspension of the Guyana Prize indefinitely is justified. This would allow for the emergence of a cadre of serious local writers whose works can actually compete with overseas entries. The prize budget should be diverted to financing credible writing courses and workshops, under a different management, that would help the aspiring writer develop.
There are established writers here who would not need these workshops, but Guyana needs to encourage and hear new voices and give them a place on a level playing field.
The University of Guyana, which is currently under financial distress but still has a rich purse for this Prize, should consider revamping the administration of the prize when it comes back on stream; some new blood and vision would be in order.
Due to similar dissatisfaction with the administration of the National Visual Arts Competition, that competition was suspended some time around 1994 and was only re-commenced in 2012 (eighteen years later).
Dear Peeping Tom, the Caribbean Press is another matter.
Ameena Gafoor
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