This letter is a note of concern and a missive of hope. All is not lost; there are many individuals and a number of organisations putting their hands to the cumbersome plough of the Guyanese Writing Industry, howbeit, not exerting the correct pressure to become a concerted force to be reckoned with. (Yes, and there are also far too many voices on the discouraging side of the fulcrum).

The most recent attempt (I hope not the last) to enhance local literature is my television programme Oral Tradition appearing on GTV Channel 11, every Wednesday at about 17:50 hours with a rebroadcast on Fridays at about 08:00 hours.

Oral tradition is an adventure into Guyanese Literature and a public relation campaign for the Guyanese Literature and a public relation campaign for the Guyanese Writing Industry. This means that Oral Tradition will stimulate interest in and maintain focus on local writings….

Oral Tradition will update you on the state of Guyanese Literature; where it is headed if it’s going anywhere - learn of the pitfalls and obstacles involved, who and which organisation is doing what and how - if anything at all - to promote the cause of Guyanese Literature. Give direction for the way forward…

Oral tradition, cognisant of the difficulties faced by local writers trying to get into print, will fast tract their material into the public’s domain by allowing the authors, week after week, to present their offerings of prose, poetry, drama and related fares.

It is also evident that it’s no easy task gaining access to works published by Guyanese writers. Oral Tradition will undertake to correct this shortcoming.

It is the hope of Oral Tradition to prepare transcripts of these programmes that will eventually lead to the establishment of a monthly/quarterly literary magazine.

For its public relation campaign to be effective, Oral Tradition will entertain the feedback of its audience. Comment and criticism can be made by telephone (226-0065), by email oraltradition2002@yahoo.com or in person on the show.
PETAMBER PERSAUD