Stories about Literature from February, 2011
Caribbean: Bocas Announces Longlist
“The OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature — which will be awarded for the first time this year — has announced its 2011 longlist of ten books”: Caribbean bloggers discuss.
India: My Grandmother’s Memories
Rita Banerji shares her grandmother's memoirs which are remarkable because these stories are being repeated today in the lives of every Indian women, over and over gain.
A declaration of love to the Portuguese language, in all its variations
On February 21 Global Voices in Portuguese commemorated International Mother Language Day with a tribute to the lusophony in all its linguistic and cultural diversity. Read the blogsphere's reflections on the first novel dedicated to the Portuguese language, Milagrário Pessoal - the most recent work by the Angolan author José Eduardo Agualusa.
Africa: Online Radio for African Poets
Lauri comes across Badilisha Poetry Radio, which features African poets: “I've managed to lose an hour listening to poetry by African poets both here and abroad. I got captured by Karin Schmike's poem Shamshack about the two-faced, false concern of politicians.”
India: Savita Bhabhi Blocked Again
Soumyadip at Cutting the Chai informs that Savita Bhabhi, an infamous popular adult online comic, is being censored in India again.
St. Lucia, T&T, Cuba: Literary Festivals
“All indications are it promises to be a grand affair with an eclectic mix of creative offerings that are sure to appeal to literature fans from all over the world”: Caribbean Book Blog is excited about the Bocas Lit Fest, while Iván's File Cabinet blogs about the Havana Book Festival.
Bangladesh: Observing International Mother Language Day
For Bangladesh, 21st February - the International Mother Language Day has a different symbolization. It is a national day of Bangladesh to commemorate protests and sacrifices to protect Bangla (Bengali) as a national language during Bengali Language Movement of 1952.
Somalia: Welcome to Poet Nation
Poet Nation is a multimedia brand dedicated to Somali art and culture that combines a mix of original and user generated content. The Poet Nation features poets, musicians, writers, storytellers and other artists.
Taiwan: Debate Over the ‘Light Novel’ Phenomenon
Light novels - manga and cosplay books which originated from Japan - are hyper popular in Taiwan, where they have conquered the book market.
Trinidad & Tobago: Literary Awards
“It’s shortlist time — for at least a couple of literary awards”: Antilles has the details.
Argentina: 26 Years Since the Death of Julio Cortázar
Today, February 12, 2011, marks 26 years since Argentine writer Julio Cortázar died of leukemia. Simon Kofoed writes about the author's life in argen-times.
Pakistan: Karachi Literature Festival 2011
“The second Karachi literature festival 2011 took place on 5th and 6th February at Carlton hotel in Karachi”, reports Rabia Sheikh at Chowrangi.
Puerto Rico: In Defense of the Hispanic Studies Department
The department of Hispanic Studies is one of 10 academic programs that have been put "on pause" by the administration of the University of Puerto Rico starting August 2011. The administration cites low enrollment numbers as the justification for this action. Students and faculty members have criticized the decision and explain the importance of the department.
Brazil: Children's Book Sparks Racism Debate
During recent months Brazilian citizen media has been debating literature, censorship, racism and education, following the suggestion by the country's National Council on Education (NCE) to withdraw celebrated author Monteiro Lobato's book Caçadas de Pedrinho (Pete's Hunting) [pt] from schools.
Zimbabwe: Meet Zimbabwean blogger and poet, Mcgini Nyoni
Zimbabweans are leaving their mark in the world of blogs and other social media tools. Zimbabwean blogger, poet, playwright and writing instructor, Mcgini Nyoni, is not an exception. Mcgini is the Creative Director of the project Poetry Bulawayo. Here is an email interview I recently conducted with him.
Trinidad & Tobago: Watching Egypt
Globewriter is “gripped” by the unfolding situation in Egypt, saying: “It is analogous to numerous other struggles going on within countries by groups of people who demand the right to be heard”, while Antilles reaches for the poems of Martin Carter: “Their ferocity seems recharged by the images and stories...
Martinique: RIP Glissant
Regional bloggers pay tribute to the life and work of “the great Caribbean writer Edouard Glissant”, who passed away earlier today.
Sri Lanka: Boycotting Galle Literary Festival
Court Jester thinks that Reporters sans frontières (RSF) boycott of the Galle Literary Festival was wrong and damaging to free speech.
Botswana: Meet Thoughts From Botswana blogger
Geoffrey Gyasi, a Ghanaian blogger, interviews Lauri of Thoughts From Botswana blog.
