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Women in Calypso
The Exhibition and concert Series 2009
NALIS in collaboration with Rudolph Ottley cordially invites you to Women In Calypso: The Exhibition and Concert Series 2009. Wednesday 28th January, 2009 at 5:00 pm, Audio Visual Room. R.S.V.P. 624-4466 Ext. 2323/2324
“The late 19th century Caribbean woman was truly integrated into the cultural mainstream of the society and they were responsible for what could be described as the genesis of calypso“
“Games We Used To Play”
 There was a time in Trinidad and Tobago when “play” meant being outdoors, running, laughing, climbing and making friends that lasted a lifetime. NALIS pays tribute to these times in its 2009 Calendar, “Games We Used To Play,” launched at the Atrium, National Library on Wednesday December 17, 2008.
At the launch, rhymes, games and songs for children were performed by the Malick Folk Performing Company. In addition, NALIS revealed its exhibition of the twelve drawings represented on the twelve pages of the calendar.
 The calendar showcases paintings and descriptions of games like Spinnin' Top, Pitch, Jacks, Hopscotch, Schooch, Hide and Seek, Jockey, Red Rover, Moral and Brown Girl in the Ring. The “Games We Used To Play” calendar is an information and conversation piece for adults and youth in this digital age. Illustrations for the calendar were done by Lana Thompson and creative design by Mical Marketing Limited.
The calendars are available for sale at the Cashier’s booth, Ground Floor, National Library at a cost of $30.00 for members of the library and $50.00 for the general public. Calendars will be made available at all Public Libraries in the very near future.
T he NALIS 2008 calendar “Trinidad and Tobago Folklore” and supporting material of inserts and invitations won the award for excellence in design in the “Public Service/Charities Division - Below-the-Line category” at this year's Advertising Agency Association of Trinidad and Tobago (AAATT) Creative Excellence Awards 2007-2008.
Living Heritage Series: The El Tucuche
Leroy Clarke Exhibition
“The journey to selfhood and sovereignty is the urgent imperative of El Tucuche. El Tucuche named after the second highest mountain in Trinidad and Tobago, signifies the turning of the negative douendom into the positive of self-realization, self-fulfillment and the search for truth, which is God. The spiritual ascendancy that Clarke advocates can happen only when we recognise the problem of douendom and resolve to move inward and upward.” Dr Gloria Gordon on El Tucuche I
The exhibition presents a window through which you are being beckoned to gaze at snapshots of the rich life and spirit of Leroy Clarke, as a tribute to him, on the occasion of his 70th birthday and the Living Heritage Series 2008, El Tucuche Symposium. Leroy Clarke will be the first recipient of the Living Heritage Series’ El Tucuche Award.
The National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) is indeed pleased to identify with this project since we are deeply committed to the promotion and preservation of our National Heritage and our role models who are creators of this heritage. The Living Heritage Series is part of the programme of the Trinidad and Tobago National Commission for UNESCO, building awareness of the importance of safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage of Trinidad and Tobago in keeping with a vision for national development.
This exhibition seeks to explore Leroy Clarke’s life’s journey as son, husband, father, grand father self-taught Master Artist, Poet, Lecturer, Philosopher, Leader and Orisha Elder. Le Roy Clarke’s life holds invaluable lessons for our youth: lessons of wisdom, courage and perseverance, among others. We are indeed grateful to Chief Ifa’ Oje’ Won Yomi Abiodun - Leroy Clarke for allowing us the use of so many pieces of his works and memorabilia, from his archives to be displayed in this exhibition.
View Leroy Clarke's Biography
National Poetry Day of Trinidad and Tobago 2008
Celebrating 85 Years of Poetry
National Poetry Day of Trinidad and Tobago was celebrated on October 15, 2008. The day culminated with a programme in which NALIS celebrated 85 Years of Poetry. The closing event incorporated three activities under the rubric Poetry Morning, Noon ad Night.
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In the morning session at 9:30 am to 11:30 am, there was a Primary School Verse Reading Festival in which selected schools participated
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The afternoon session at 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm comprised of a Verse Reading Festival for selected Secondary Schools.
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The evening session was an event organized by the Writers Union of Trinidad and Tobago (WUTT), entitled Joining Voices. This session featured leading poets of WUTT, as well as, guest and feature poets from Latin America and the USA.
Emancipation Celebrations 2008:
Crossing New Frontiers To Conquer Today's Challenges
The Heritage Library Division of the National Library and Information System Authority cordially invites you to its Emancipation Celebrations featuring an Exhibition “Slave Resistance and Retention in Trinidad and Tobago“ at the Atrium, National Library Building.
About Zeno Constance:
Zeno Obiageli Constance is a teacher, playwright and basketball official. He has written books on the Calypso - Poet and Prophet, a career biography of Brother Valentino and Tassa, Chutney and Soca - the East Indian contribution to the Calypso. He has also published in two volumes Sheer Genius - a collection of 14 of his plays.
Constance became aware of the events of 1970 in the mid seventies while a student at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine and a member of the Black Research and Cultural Committee, an affiliate of the National Joint Action Committee. Since then he has continued to impart his knowledge of the period through his plays Flight Through Fantasy (1983), Dragon Slayer Dream (1990) and De Roaring 70’s (1994). He is secretary of the Secondary Schools Drama Association and a teacher at the Fyzabad Composite School.
Caricom Day Exhibition:
One Caribbean, One People, Endless Opportunities
Celebrated on July 4th annually, the exhibition is a joint project between the Youth Ambassador Programme of Caricom and the Ministry of Sport & Youth Affairs. Caricom celebrates 35 years of existence since coming into being in 1973 by the treaty of Chaguaramas.
This year’s theme is “One Caribbean, One People, Endless Opportunities” fittingly titled as it seeks to represent the unity and diversity of the Caribbean, its people and showcases endless opportunities available via the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).
A special commemoration ceremony took place place on the 1st floor at the National Library on Monday July 7th 2008 where the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs the Honourable Gary Hunt will deliver the Feature Address.
50 Faces Exhibition:
A Caricature of Leading Cultural Icons: By Keith Anderson
   
This exhibition consists of some 50 caricature drawings of local cultural icons including Shadow, Sparrow, Lord Kitchener, David Rudder, former Minister of Culture and Gender Affairs, Mrs. Joan Yuille Williams.
“50 Faces: A Caricature of Leading Cultural Icons” has been in the making for approximately two years. It has been a labour of love for Mr. Anderson, as he has dedicated his entire 40-year career to capturing the rare Trinidad and Tobago flair through the medium of cartoons.
As is the case of the many poets, authors, painters, and performers, with whom NALIS has collaborated, Mr. Anderson’s work contributes to the heritage of Trinidad and Tobago. Through the mounting of this exhibition, Keithos has made a valuable contribution to literacy - visual literacy.
View Online Exhibition
About Keith Anderson:
Keith ‘Keithos’ Anderson has been drawing professionally for some 40 years, capturing that rare Trini flair for the outrageous.
He has mastered all aspects of the cartoon successfully at the highest level for daily and weekly newspapers.
At one time, Keithos drew editorial cartoons for the Daily Express and illustrated stories. Today he does the same job at the Trinidad Guardian. He is grateful to the late journalist/editor George John for giving him the opportunity to break into editorial cartooning.
Keithos has tutored students in art and has helped several young artists with cartoon projects. Schools have invited him to talk to students about careers in art/cartooning.
Keithos cherishes his association with Dunstan E. Williams (DEW), the late great GUARDIAN cartoonist who died a few years ago, and thanks his mother, Elaine Anderson for setting him on course with his career.
Celebrating World Environment Day:
Sun, Moon and Stars: An Exhibition of Art from Recycled Objects
  
The exhibition Sun, Moon and Stars, mounted in commemoration of World Environment Day, was launched at the National Library on June 5th 2008.
Although the exhibits are designed mainly for children, they will interest persons of all ages. Sun, Moon and Stars seeks to bring awareness to our fragile environment. It is hoped that patrons will learn of the various possibilities of re-using the Earth’s dwindling resources and will be inspired to make interesting objects from everyday items. The exhibition also fits into the preservation message of “reduce, reuse, recycle, and repair” which is promoted by many environmentalists.
Conceived and organized by cultural programmer and producer Sonja Dumas, Sun, Moon and Stars highlights the work of several practicing artists and designers who were asked to take used or discarded items and make them into a sculpture of a sun, a moon or a star. All the sculptures are designed to hang from the grid that is currently suspended in the atrium at NALIS so that patrons will gaze upwards towards the suns, moons and stars that the artists have created. The grid itself is being reused as it is a vestige of a previous NALIS exhibition.
View Online Exhibition
Celebrating Indian Arrival Day:
85 Years of Indo Poetry
Since their arrival on the Fatel Razack in 1845, the East Indians extended their contribution from the plantations to every aspect of life - their food, their dance, their music, their traditions and their art.
While the momentous event had been celebrated among the East Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago for many years, it was not until 1994 that it was made an official public holiday called Arrival Day. In 1995, the national day was re-named Indian Arrival Day. On 30th May each year, Indian Arrival Day is commemorated by the staging of a re-enactment of the arrival of the Fatel Razack at various beaches throughout Trinidad and Tobago. There is also music and dance, and outstanding members of the community are honored for their contributions to society.
Indian immigration to Trinidad spanned the period 1845-1917. During this time, over 140,000 Indians were transported to the island. The journey was long and arduous and living conditions were deplorable. After disembarking at Nelson Island, the arrivals were fed and rested for a couple weeks and then deployed to the various sugar cane estates.
Not limited in imagination or genius, the East Indians cultivated unrivalled talent in every aspect of their endeavour. Poetry was by no means left out and they produced a fine collage of work that is timeless and profound.
NALIS welcomes you to look and appreciate what is part of our unique culture, a part of you and a part of us. Let us celebrate the Poetry of our East Indian brotherhood and be proud of what has brought us to where we are this day.
85 Years of Poetry:
First Time Authors in Poetry
Kavita Vidya Ganness was born in Point Fortin in 1979. Ms. Ganness practices several artistic disciplines and is also a social activist. She is also a teacher, student, and member of the Writers Union of Trinidad and Tobago, among other groups. This is her first collection of poems.
Verne Guerin was born in New Grant in 1941 and was educated at Presentation College in San Fernando. Guerin served as a fire fighter for almost 25 years. His interest in the arts has been lifelong and he participates in several artistic activities, including Drama and Creative Writing. He has had individual pieces published, but this is his first collection of poems.
David Jackman was born in Barataria in 1945. He is a sibling of twelve, a father of two, and a grandfather of two. He attended Belmont Boys Secondary School, St. Mary’s College, and the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. His first job was at the Express newspapers, however he later he moved on to education and taught at Fatima College and Woodbrook Secondary school for the next three decades.
Jackman has pursued many artistic activities including music, however, creative writing seems to be his main avocation. He has produced several novels, stories, plays, reviews and poetry, many of which are still unpublished. He won an NCC poetry prize in the 1980s. This is his first poetry book publication.
Kasi Senghor’s poems is only a small part of the work he has created since the 1970s. His book contains seventeen poems fulfilling the ISO standard that a book of poems must contain at least 21 pages between its covers. In this space the issues of social concern of previous decades, which consumed Senghor and his brethren, resonates into this new age. This sometimes makes one appreciate the timelessness of the pieces. Indeed rhythm of the times in sound and words underlie the poet’s understanding of form.
Under the Mas
Resistance and Rebellion in the Trinidad Masquerade
Jeff Henry’s thesis is that the modern Trinidad Carnival has lost its bearings. Originally structured and developed during the years of enslavement and immediately thereafter to deal with the social, political and economic circumstances of daily life, the dominant modern version now follows a European model, has no root in indigenous forms and has lost its authenticity.
Under the Mas is Jeff Henry’s bold attempt to reclaim that authenticity. In a captivating mix of personal recollection, interviews, scholarly research and empirical argument, he has woven an intriguing tapestry that re-emphasises the roots of Trinidad Masquerade in protest, overt as well as covert, particularly by the formerly enslaved African population in Trinidad, part performance arts analysis and part Carnival manifesto. Under the Mas is a passionate and fascinating look at the subversive elements, now almost forgotten, embedded in traditional Masquerade characters, themselves in decline.
Jeff Henry has been active in Canadian and Trinidadian theatre as actor, dancer, director, choreographer, teacher and producer. He was senior Professor and past Chair at York University’s Faculty of Fine Arts in Toronto, retiring as Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar. He has researched, written extensively and given lecture-demonstrations on the history, dance, movement chants and theatrical forms of the traditional masquerade characters of Trinidad. |