Jamaica 50 Literary Series
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Fifty years ago, in August 1962, the Caribbean country of Jamaica became independent from Britain. Toronto Public Library and the Jamaica 50 Art and Literature Committee mark this anniversary with an exciting series of literary and cultural events showcasing the creative excellence and contributions of Jamaican-Canadian writers. |
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On Saturday, April 14, at 2 pm, Peta-Gaye Nash will be speaking at Maria Shchuka Branch. Peta-Gaye Nash is a Jamaican-born short story writer. I Too Hear the Drums is her 2010 collection. Her work has appeared in Canadian Voices, Volume 2, the Bearing Witness Anthologies and Bookends: the Jamaica Observer Literary Magazine. She has also recently published three children’s books: Don’t Take Raja to School, Liam and the Lizard and Where Are Meadow’s Manners? A graduate of McMaster University she teaches English as a second language and currently lives in Mississauga with her family. |
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Two days later, on April 16, 7-8 pm, Malvern Branch hosts three authors: Mary Lou Soutar-Hynes, Jennifer Walcott, Quentin “Vercetty” Lindsay.
Mary Lou Soutar-Hynes has lived in Toronto since immigrating here in 1969. Her poetry and non-fiction have been published widely in Canadian poetry anthologies, and she is the co-author, with Trina Wood, of The Writer Within: Dialogue and Discovery. She is a member of the Writers’ Union of Canada and the League of Canadian Poets.
Jennifer Walcott grew up in Jamaica and in Canada, where she has lived for many years. She has worked in community development and education and is currently a secondary school teacher of English. She is published in the collection, Calling Cards: an Anthology of Caribbean and Canadian Writers, and has had poems in journals and websites.
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Quentin “Vercetty” Lindsay is a self-proclaimed Artvist who and knows no boundaries when it comes to his artistic expression. Feeling obligated to spread a message of social change through the innovation of different art forms, he uses his art to empower others. There are four more Jamaica 50 programs in May and June featuring Valery Wint, Yvonne Blackwood, Martin Mordecai, Afua Cooper and Fred Kennedy. Click here for the full list. Plus, bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell will be at the Appel Salon on May 23, and will discuss his work and his Jamaican heritage with CBC's Eleanor Wachtel. |
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