Barbadians will get an opportunity to learn more about Colombia and its wide cultural diversity, thanks to a donation of books written by renowned Colombian writer and journalist, the late Gabriel Garc??a M??rquez.
The collection of works by the late author, who also won a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982, was presented to the Acting Director of the National Library Service, Mary Walrond, last Friday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In brief remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, said the presentation of books was in keeping with Colombia???s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mar??a ??ngela Holguin Cu??ller???s wish, that Barbadians be exposed to ???Colombian literature and the wide diversity and cultural wealth of the greater Caribbean region???.
Senator McClean noted that the late author, affectionately known as ???Gabo???, was a literary pioneer who was considered ???one of the 20th Century???s greatest masters of prose in Spanish and one of the most representative exponents of the magical realism genre. ???He used to say that his surrealism was inspired by Latin American reality,??? she added.
The Foreign Minister revealed that, Mr. Garc??a M??rquez, who was born in Aracataca, Colombia, on March 6, 1927, wrote his first novel at age 23, though it took him seven years to find a publisher. She further stated that the late author won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982 for his book One Hundred Years of Solitude, which sold more than 20 million copies and was translated into more than 30 languages.
Senator McClean said Mr. Garc??a M??rquez began law school in the 1950???s but dropped out to become a journalist. He continued in the profession, earning literary fame, and in a speech read before the 52nd General Assembly of the Inter-American Press Association, described journalism as ???the best job in the world???.
He also established the Gabriel Garc??a M??rquez Foundation for New Ibero- American Journalism with the purpose of promoting ethics and best practices in the occupation. Mr. Garc??a M??rquez died in Mexico City on April 17 this year, at the age of 87.
The Foreign Minister said a collection of his works will also be housed in the Ministry and added that the books would be of benefit to the library and its customers.??In acceptance, Ms. Walrond thanked the Government of Colombia for the donation of the books, hailing it as ???a welcomed addition to our collection of books???.
julie.carrington@barbados.gov.bb