By Tabora Bojang
The National Center for Arts and Culture in partnership with the Writers Association of the Gambia and UNESCO Friday launched a book entitled ‘bold voices’.
The book is a selection of Gambian prose, poetry and play written by young literary talents.
The book is a collection of selected writings by students from all parts of the country who contested in the National school writing competition organised by the Writers Association of the Gambia with funding from UNESCO, as part of events marking World Book and Copyright Day 2018.
The prose, poetry and plays in the book depict to the Gambia, Africa and the world on many issues like tyranny, travel troubles (migration) and romance.
The latter part of the book comprises a collection of poems by prominent Gambian writers from the executive of the Writers Association including Swaebou Conateh and the late Ralphina de Almeida, Nana Grey-Johnson, Latirr Carr, Matilda Johnson, Almami Fanding Taal, Tijan M Salla and Hassoum Ceesay amongst host of other respected writers.
Hassoum Ceesay, the Vice President of the Gambia Writers Association hailed the UNESCO National Commission in the Gambia for support in funding the publication of the book. He extolled the young talents to build more interest in writing as they have an indispensable role to play in the development of the new Gambia.
”As young writers you have an immense role in capturing the mood of the country that is why we want to encourage you to continue the momentum and always count on the Association for support and mentorship,” Ceesay said.
Abdoulie Camara, a teacher from Muslim Senior Secondary School, which bagged second position in the WAG writing competition, commended the young writers for the work adding it will encourage other students to develop interest in writing.
He however called for concerted efforts in providing wider advocacy and improved market strategy for the book to be available to all Gambians.
The young writers are; Mariama Bah Nusrat Senior School, Bakary Janneh Muslim Senior School, Sinou Gomez, Mamat Gaye and Artur Bondoquah of St. Augustine’s Senior and Adama Mboge of Gambia Senior School.
