JCDC strikes Gold - Cultural development organisation launches anthology of creative writing

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Youth and Culture, will launch its Gold Anthology, a collection of gold medal-winning short stories from festivals held between 1999 and 2006.

The event, to be hosted at the Knutsford Court Hotel, will take place during the Jamaica Creative Writing Awards Ceremony and Exhibition on Tuesday.

According to editor of the Gold Anthology, Bena Nakawuki, "this anthology is a timely follow-up to the Festival Literary Anthology, first published by the JCDC in 1987. It is a colourful presentation of gold medal-winning short stories that reflect the many scenes of old and new Jamaica."

Speech, drama and literary arts specialist at the JCDC, Andrew Brodber, further stated that the Brand Jamaica product is of great quality and will stay with us for a very long time.

Brodber noted that Jamaican literary treasures are often hidden in the creative tapestry of its people. This feast of gold-award works will provide new material for leisure, academics, as well as provide Jamaica with a billboard of creative works which may be considered for films and other creative outlets.

Some of the contributors to the anthology include Dionne Jackson-Miller, Rudolph Wallace, Michael Reckord, and Carroll Edwards. The foreword is by Professor Emeritus Edward Baugh.

ACTIVE SINCE THE 1960s

The backdrop to the launch is the awards ceremony of the Jamaica Creative Writing Competition and Exhibition, which has been capturing Jamaican literary expressions since 1963. Over 50 awards of merit, gold, silver, and bronze, along with trophies and other prizes will be presented to amateur and professional writers who have entered their creative works in poetry, short stories, novels, essays, and plays during the 2013 festival.

Members of the public will be given the opportunity to experience these award-winning works when they go on a national exhibition tour, with the first stop at the National Library of Jamaica, downtown Kingston, from November 7-22.

The exhibition will continue to tour the island through to July 2014, with stops at each parish library.