Gilkes, who previously copped the Prize's 'Drama' title in 1992 for his interpretation of Edgar Mittleholzer's 'A pleasant Career', gained the judges' nod this time around for 'Joanstown', said to be a series of love poems to Georgetown and someone named Joan which, in their own special way "helped take some of that unpleasant resonance away from that other Jonestown."

The prize for 'First Book of Fiction' went to upcoming novelist and poet, young Ruel Johnson, who was not only shortlisted in this category but in that of 'First Book of Poetry' as well, for his 'Ariadne and Other Stories'.

The prize in this latter category went to master artist, Mr Stanley Greaves, for his anthology entitled, 'Horizons'.

Because submissions this year did not measure up to the judges expectations, there were no awards in the 'Fiction' and 'Drama' categories.

And, for the second time in the Prize's eight-year history, a 'Special Prize' was awarded to acclaimed novelist, Mr Wilson Harris, reputedly of one the most outstanding of contemporary West Indian writers and perhaps one of the greatest to have come out of Guyana to this day.

The first recipient of this award, which is in recognition of outstanding works contributed to Guyanese culture, literature and related affairs, was Dr Richard Alsopp for his production entitled, 'A Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage'.

Harris, who is to be officially conferred the title in another two weeks when he will be paying his homeland a visit, is credited by his critics as being not only one of the most original writers in English today, but the man who helped transform the shape and form of English fiction as well.

Gilkes, Greaves and Johnson were conferred theirs at the official 'Awards Ceremony' at the National Cultural Centre, Georgetown, Sunday night when the winners were formally announced.

Patrons attending the function were also asked to observe a minute's silence "in respectful memory of the founder and original sponsor" of the 'Prize', former President and leader of the Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Mr Hugh Desmond Hoyte, who passed away in late December.

Giving a background to the genesis of the award, Chairman of the evening's proceedings, Dr James Rose, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG), said the whole purpose of the exercise was to recognise and reward outstanding work in the literature of Guyanese authors at home and abroad, and to stimulate interest in, and provide encouragement for, the development of good creative writing among Guyanese.

He said that while some may argue that Mr. Hoyte's "crowning achievement" during his lifetime was the deregulation of the national economy, or the Iwokrama Rainforest Initiative, or better still the graceful manner in which he conceded defeat following the 1992 general elections, for many others it will always be the establishment of the Guyana Prize For Literature in 1987.

In arguing the case for the 'Prize', he said that Hoyte readily conceded that "inasmuch as most political and economic effort in any society must be concentrated on satisfying the basic everyday needs of ordinary men and women and their families, man's needs did not end at that point."

Hoyte saw as being equally important to man's development and needs, Rose said, the flowing of the intellect and the appreciation of beauty, literature, music and art.

But, he said: "Hoyte's hope of spurring the development of native creativity was not without consideration for the harsh reality of the everyday assistance of the gifted Guyanese."

Though he, Hoyte, readily admitted to difficult economic circumstances of the late 1980s, Rose said, he was also of the opinion that native creativity should be encouraged to shine through such material limitations.

On its first outing, he said, the 'Prize' attracted some 30 entries, all of which were of a very high standard. Among the winners that first year (1987), he said, were Rooplall Monar, Marc Matthews and Harris.

Since then, he said, the award has consistently attracted large numbers in each category, with to date some 31 winners.