Norton still unaware of responsibility …seeking advice

Guyana Prize for Literature

The creation of new departments within the Government seems to be confusing the officeholders as to what is, or is not, their responsibilities. One such partly unaware Government member is Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, who despite being responsible for culture, youth and sport seems to not know whether he has the responsibility for the prestigious Guyana Prize for Literature.
This publication reported that Government did not release funds, to the Guyana Prize for Literature Committee, for the hosting of the event in 2017 resulting in

them halting all work. However, Secretary to the Committee, Al Creighton, explained that they are still judging the submissions and promised the hosting of the awards ceremony later in 2018.
Nevertheless, he could not have given an explanation for the event being postponed indefinitely. The prestigious award ceremony was supposed to be held in July of 2017, with March 31 being the deadline for submissions.
Meanwhile a source had indicated that the Committee is uncertain as to when the awards would be held, since Government is yet to signal its commitment to funding for the event to be kicked off.
Guyana Times caught up with Minister Norton on Monday at the launching of his Ministry’s Mash band, where he explained that he is yet to determine under whose remit the Guyana Prize falls. Nevertheless, he continued to deny claims that Government is withholding funds but alluded to the “financial implication” of hosting the event.
“I know it was established many years ago under the stewardship of Mr (Desmond) Hoyte and it’s a legacy we would want to keep on. There is a lot of financial implications but it worth every cent and we hope (to get) at least the short list soon,” Dr Norton stated.
He added that he is still awaiting a response from Creighton as to the status of the Committee’s work and who is responsible for the Guyana Prize.
The Guyana Prize is awarded to writers of Guyanese nationality in several different categories. These categories include Best First Book of Poetry, Best First Book of Fiction, Best Book of Poetry, Best Book of Fiction and Best Book of Drama. Additionally, the Guyana Prize also awards Books of Poetry, Fiction and Drama in separate categories for Caribbean writers.
The Guyana Prize for Literature was established in 1987 to provide encouragement for the development of good creative writing among Guyanese in particular and Caribbean writers in general. The Prize is for published books and is open to works by citizens of Caribbean countries: Caricom States, the Commonwealth Caribbean, and the Netherland Antilles.
To be eligible for entry, a book must have been written and published in English and for Drama-entries must be full-length plays. For Fiction and Poetry, the publishers must enter works. No more than one work by any author may be entered in each category.
Over the years, the Prize has attracted both praise and criticism and would have awarded several established writers aiding in the development of the literature sector in Guyana. The judges are pulled from both the foreign and local literary sector with vast knowledge in literature.