Activity: Poetry Reading, Book Launch, Formal Launch of Moray House Trust
Co-ordinator: Moray House Trust
Date: Tuesday, 13th December 2011
The “Moray House Trust” was officially launched on the evening of December 13th, 2011 in the elegant and historic Moray House, the family home of the late David de Caires and his family, situated in Georgetown at 239, Camp and Quamina Sts.
The Moray House Trust is a legacy of the late David de Caires (31.12 1937 – 1.11.2008). It was proposed by his children, Brendan and Isabelle, and his widow, Doreen, primarily as a cultural initiative to foster and preserve artistic expression, and the diverse culture of Guyana. It is a modest endeavour aiming to support and contribute to the good works of many other Guyanese and to keep true to its own vision, which says in part: “…We believe that the health of a nation, in the broadest sense, depends on a vibrant and varied local culture… that a culture thrives and develops where ideas circulate and are robustly debated and interrogated…”
Significantly, the date of the Launch coincided with the 14th commemorative anniversary of Guyana’s national poet, Martin Wylde Carter (7.7.1927 – 13.12.1997), who was a friend of David de Caires and a frequent visitor to Moray House where healthy debates on society, culture, the arts, international affairs, regional and local politics, sport and civil liberties took place, and where some of Martin’s poetry was declaimed and found itself published in the New World journal that emerged out of the conversations of the Moray House group. The occasion of the launch of the Moray House Trust linked to the commemoration of Martin Carter was celebrated with a mix of young voices and old friends, keeping alive the power and relevance of Martin Carter’s work which is for all seasons & generations.
The occasion was also graced with the introduction of a new book by Major General (rtd) Joseph G Singh, his honest, informative and detailed memoir “Growing Up in British Guiana – 1945-1964″. The excellent introduction to the book was written by Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, who was also on hand to introduce the book to those attending the launch.
Isabelle de Caires, who made the keynote speech and Doreen de Caires represented the family and introduced their fellow Trustees and co-founders of the Trust and the members of the Executive Committee of the Trust serving as its Directors.
Trustees:
Andaiye (Chair)
Doreen de Caires
Isabelle de Caires
Dr Yesu Persaud
Maj-Gen (rtd) Joseph Singh,
Directors:
Vanda Radzik (Chair)
Colin Cholmondeley
Dr Paloma Mohamed
Nadia Sagar
Nisa Surujbally
Clinton Urling
Launch of Moray House Trust – Video Clips
Part 1: Yesu Persaud, Trustee, Opening Remarks, Launch of Moray House Trust
http://youtu.be/58oW7o3omtk
Part 2: Doreen de Caires, Trustee, Welcome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yehmRKZIDkg
Part 3: Isabelle de Caires, Trustee, Introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Part 4: Vanda Radzik, Chair of Directors, Moray House Trust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI8mhmhfmXo
Part 5: Ian Mc Donald talks about Martin Carter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LyRhUU6ud0
Part 6: Martin Carter’s poems read by young Guyanese writers and students
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPBzE3gVuRY
Part 7: Dr. Rupert Roopnarine introduces Joe Singh’s book
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYqpF7wuuaA
Part 8: Major General (rtd) Joe Singh talks about his book, ‘Growing up in British Guiana 1945 – 1964’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6xtvHeDWTA
Part 9: Closing remarks at Moray House Trust launch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIK_0TVmoww
