Author: Isabelle

Source: Guyana Chronicle
Date: December 17 2011

The Moray House Trust was launched at the de Caires family home at Lot 239 Quamina and Camp streets, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown on Tuesday. It represented a signal tribute to the legacy of the late Attorney-at-law Mr. David de Caires, founder of the independent Stabroek News newspaper.

The commemorative launch formed the highlight of a three-tier programme which also accommodated the 14th Anniversary commemoration of the life of Guyana’s celebrated national poet, Martin Carter, and the launch of a book, “Growing up in British Guiana: 1945-1964”, written by retired Major General Joseph Singh.

Evening of elegance
Organized by the de Caires family and Trustees and Board of Directors of the Moray House Trust (MHT), the programme was literally an evening of elegance chaired by former Trustee Dr. Yesu Persaud.

Things got underway with opening remarks by widow Mrs. Doreen de Caires and a tribute to David de Caires by his daughter Isabelle. Reflecting on the life and work of the great cultural icon, Mrs. De Caires noted: “Our society has been greatly enriched by his (David’s) work.”

Although better known for his role in founding the independent Stabroek News publication, the Directors noted that Mr. de Caires had a strong and abiding interest in literature, the arts, music and sport.

“His contribution to the cultural life of Guyana, though modest, was symptomatic of his belief in the need to nurture the cultural and intellectual life of a nation in danger of losing its most precious resource – its people – through mass migration,” they said, adding, “His family and friends now pay tribute to him by forming this Trust.

Visionary work
The main work of the Moray House Trust is to provide sanctuary for cultural and artistic expressions, and the exchange of knowledge and ideas. And in broad outline, it is a private, non-partisan, non-profit cultural initiative designed to foster national pride in Guyana’s diverse heritage; to enable all forms of artistic expression; to promote conservation, civil liberties and sport in the Guyanese society; and to stimulate the sharing of knowledge and ideas within a vibrant sphere.

The vision of the Moray House Trust, among other things, is to: Preserve and extend Guyana’s cultural heritage, and to promote more opportunities for current and future generations to engage with it.

At the ceremony, the Moray House Trust Logo/Plaque was unveiled by the de Caires family, after which a bouquet of flowers was presented to Ms. Vanda Radik, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Moray House Trust. Other Members of the Board are: Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Colin Cholmondeley, Nadia Sagar, Clinton Urling, Nisa Surujbally and Mrs. Cathy Hughes.

Trustees are: Mrs. Doreen de Caires, Isabelle de Caires, Dr. Yesu Persaud, Major General (R’td) Joe Singh, and Andaiye.

The facilities at MHT are available for events, including: cocktail parties, lunches and dinners, tea parties and other social functions; business meetings; workshops, training presentations and lectures; youth groups and student meetings. “We want young people to colonize the space here,” Ms. Radzik commented.

Celebrating Martin Carter
This segment was chaired by Ms. Vanda Razdik. Hosted under the theme “Celebrating the Power and relevance of Martin Carter’s work for all seasons and generations”, it opened with Dr. Ian Mc Donald’s tribute to Martin Carter in which he noted that it was very appropriate that the launch featured the venerated poet, especially since those two gentlemen had a very close connection. Dr. Mc Donald also congratulated the de Caires family for initiating the idea of the Moray House Trust, and those who worked to bring it to fruition.

There were also choice poetic presentations by promising Guyanese youths, including: Maryam Bacchus of Queen’s College, who did one of Martin Carter’s pieces, “Not I with this Torn Shirt”; Kojo Mc Pherson; Rochelle Christie; Tivia Collins; Kencil Banwarie; Chontelle Sewette, and Jamilia Whittaker; and a video presentation, “Looking at Your Hands”, by Dr. Paloma Mohamed.

Introducing a new book
The curtain came down with the introduction of Major General (R’td) Joseph Singh’s book “Growing Up in British Guiana: 1945-1964”. The book captures the varied and exciting experiences of the author growing up as a child in British Guiana. Introduced by Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who hailed it as a labour of love, the book is the most recent of five publications by Mr. Joe Singh, whom Dr. Roopnaraine acknowledged for his many sterling contributions to the nation.

The retired Major General read a few spirited and animated passages from the book, and concluded, “This is a way of telling my grandchildren where they came from.”

The book is currently on sale at Austin’s Book Store on Church Street, Company Path, Georgetown at a cost of $1500.

 

Source: Guyana Times
Date: 14th December 2011

The Moray House Trust set up in memory of the late David de Caires was declared open on Tuesday. It will be based at Moray House, the de Caires family home and one of the oldest houses in Georgetown. The Moray House is a traditional wooden “heritage” house located at 239 Camp and Quamina Streets.

Doreen de Caires at the launch read two pieces written by her husband, in which he recollected on the late Martin Carter and Ian McDonald. She reflected on his work, not only as a journalist, but his love for literature and poetry. De Caires’ daughter, Isabelle, in remarks at the launch, spoke about her father’s passion for literature.

Yesu Persaud, a trustee of the Moray Trust, thanked the de Caries for their move to open up their home to the public, to allow youth a greater chance of developing love for literature, arts, culture, and poetry. Persaud reflected on the work of David de Caires and his contributions to Guyana in many areas. Tribute was also paid to Carter during the opening ceremony.

Retired Major General Joe Singh also took the opportunity to launch his fifth book, “Growing Up in British Guiana: 1945-1964”. The book’s introduction was written by Dr Rupert Roopnaraine. Singh read several excerpts to give the gathering a taste of what they can expect from the book.

The new trust aims to work towards preserving and extending Guyana’s cultural heritage and to provide more opportunities for current and future generations to engage in such. The trust was also established to broaden local culture and enable youth to become innovators and champions of culture of all forms. Organised cultural events, public talks, debates, exhibitions, and workshops can be held at Moray House.

It was disclosed that although David de Caires was better known for his role in founding the Stabroek News in 1986, with the help of Ken Gordon, he also had a strong interest in literature, the arts, music, and sport. His family is, therefore, paying tribute to him by forming the trust.

David de Caires, who was born on December 31, 1937, was a Guyanese solicitor and later Editor-in-Chief of Stabroek News. He founded the Stabroek News because he wanted a paper that promoted an open society based on the rule of law, a free market economy and the holding of free and fair elections.

He suffered a heart attack on August 14, 2008 and underwent medical treatment in Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. He was later transported to a hospital in Barbados where he died on the morning of November 1, 2008. He is survived by his widow Doreen, son Brendan, and daughter Isabelle.

Source: Stabroek News
Date: Wednesday 14th December 2011

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2011/news/stories/12/14/cultural-trust-launched-in-memory-of-david-de-caires/

“In an initiative aimed at helping to preserve and expand Guyana’s cultural heritage, the Moray House Trust was last evening officially launched in memory of late Stabroek News Editor-in-Chief David de Caires.

The Trust was launched at the de Caires’ family home, where Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh also launched his latest book, ‘Growing up in British Guiana: 1945-1964.’

The Trust is a private, non-profit cultural initiative aimed at fostering national pride in Guyana’s diverse heritage, and to enable all forms of artistic expression.

It is also aimed at promoting conservation, civil liberties and sport in society while stimulating the sharing of knowledge and ideas within a vibrant public sphere.

Isabelle de Caires, daughter of David de Caires, said that the Trust was being established in honour of her father, who, she said, not only had a deep interest in the arts and culture but also in encouraging discussion and debate on these matters. She noted that for several years, her father had opened his home to his friends and they would be engaged in wide-ranging discussions of an intellectual nature. de Caires died in November 2008.

The trust aims to achieve its mission through a variety of activities, including organizing public cultural events such as talks, debates, exhibitions and film shows. Further, it plans to support and facilitate live local cultural entertainment in areas such as dance, music and storytelling as well as to produce “cultural products” such as books, DVDs and recordings.  Another aim of the Trust is to bring creative artists together with peers, experts and an informed audience to advance local talent.

Promoting hobbies and pastimes such as reading and music appreciation and cultural interests through its cultural programme and workshops are also part of the Trust’s agenda.

The trustees of the organization are Andaiye (Chairman), Doreen de Caires, Isabelle de Caires, Yesu Persaud and Singh. Vanda Radzik chairs the Board of Directors. Other directors are Colin Cholmondeley, Dr Paloma Mohamed, Nadia Sagar, Nisa Surujbally and Clinton Urling.

Singh, meanwhile, launched his fifth publication and read excerpts. The text chronicles Singh’s life from childhood to an adolescent.  Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, long-time friend of the author, indicated that while Singh had a lot of accomplishments, this book was not the least of his contributions to the nation.

Yesterday’s launch was also a tribute to the work of the late poet Martin Carter, who died 14 years ago. Dr Ian McDonald paid tribute to Carter and several of Carter’s more popular poems were read.”