Author and educator Ian Isidore Smart recently launched The Caribbean Renaissance and Carnival at NALIS, Port-of-Spain.
The book is a tribute to composer, musician, artist and educator David Boothman.
In the foreword, Smart said he was inspired to work from Boothman’s idea of the Caribbean Renaissance, which he presented some 40 years ago.
Boothman had said then: “Manuel Zapata Olivella declared that ‘América,’ that is to say ‘The Americas’, can be deemed to be a product, ‘Made in the Caribbean.’ Manuel was a native of Columbia, distinctively, Caribbean region; and for several years he served as the chargé d’affaires of his country’s embassy in Port-of-Spain.”
The book is also in honour of Boothman’s late brother, musician Roger Boothman.
Smart delivered a rousing author talk and guest speakers were Elizabeth Dennis, Makeda Dyese, Lionel Remy, Dr Gary Garia and Dr Godfrey St Bernard.
The author’s siblings, Carole, Anthony, Wayne, Marguerite, Brian, Maria, Allyson and Beverly, also shared in the moment with specially invited guests.
Ian Isidore Smart has written more than two dozen books.
The 167-page book was published in the United States by Original World Press and is available at Metropolitan Book Supplies Ltd.