Cfp: "Quiet Revolutions in West Indian Literature and Criticism," University of Guyana, April 26–29, 2009.

The 28th Annual Conference on West Indian Literature. The conference theme for 2009 is designed to explore, among many other things, the several developments, preoccupations, forms or issues that may reflect "quiet revolutions" in West Indian literature and criticism, however all that may be interpreted. Since this annual conference started, West Indian literature has experienced change, sometimes unique and radical, often representing revolutionary advancements. There have been new areas of study and artistic engagement peculiar to West Indian literature as well as the inclusion of related forms and pursuits hitherto excluded or kept on the fringe of conventional mainstream "literature". These have not necessarily all been recent; some may say the literature has been attended by quiet revolutions throughout its history. Participants in the conference are invited to consider these. Examples of some relevant areas are suggested below: Film Performance Language Music Form Creole Dub / Dub Poetry Oral traditions Orality Dancehall Theatre, and Drama Developments in the literature have been accompanied by those in West Indian literary criticism, itself sometimes considered to be one of the quiet revolutions, and other emerging traditions, which may involve: Caribbean criticism Emerging traditions and literatures Ideas and approaches The East Indian ethos Comparative literature The Amerindian ethos The Francophone and the Hispanic Folklore West Indian fiction Narrative West Indian Poetry 100 Years of Edgar Mittelholzer: These "quiet revolutions" have often centred around or driven by Caribbean writers themselves (Wilson Harris, Eddie Kamau Brathwaite, Derek Walcott et al). One of the phenomena of the mid-twentieth century is a Guyanese fiction writer considered to be himself one of these quiet revolutions: Edgar Mittelholzer. The Caribbean celebrates his 100th anniversary in 2009. The University of Guyana will mark the occasion and no doubt there will be other events, particularly around December. Participants are invited to join/form a special panel on Mittelholzer. Celebrating Wilson Harris: The extraordinary originality of another Caribbean novelist who emerged after Mittelholzer is another of these revolutions. English critic Kathleen Raine declared that he changed the form of the English novel that had been static for 100 years. The conference proposes to honour/pay tribute to/recognise Harris and participants are invited to contribute to a panel on Harris. Abstracts: Abstracts of less than 250 words should be submitted by FEBRUARY 15, 2009 to the Office of the Dean, Education and Humanities, University of Guyana, Georgetown, Guyana Al Creighton Tel. 592 222 4923 e-mail deanseh@hotmail.com OR alcreightonjnr@hotmail.com