Stephen Abara et al have chosen poems of honour, cries, love, admiration, humour, imagination and surprise, in array of styles and forms, for the ‘Anthology of African Poetry’ 2011. The outcome is jollity of the pleasures of poetry.

In his compelling and forthright introduction, Stephen explains how he chose the published poems from the many considered. With insightful comments from the poets celebrating their work, and succession of Mario Anagonou’s thought provoking foreword, the ‘Anthology of African 2011 is a brilliant collection of Literary works of emerging poets of African descent and non- African contributors who live and study in Canada. These poets and their works hope to bring light to a buried body of knowledge of ancient history and tradition in response to contemporary depiction of African social systems and belief systems in literature and media. This book of poetry is a progression that connects the most remarkable rhymes and groundbreaking poems of our time to a readership as hawk-eyed as it is dedicated to the art of poetry.

The poets in this book find poetry irresistible; especially how words convey deeper meanings not easily discernible, though very enlightening to the mind once carefully understood. The words used conveys meaning in the poems which takes the reader to unexpected destinations; even to a variety of metaphysical intelligence and humour; which endeavours to harness the collective experiences of Africans to share knowledge, wisdom, wealth, and other issues that would give birth to a renewed meaning of Africa and create a better tomorrow for all the generations.

 In this charming, informative and highly educative book-Anthology of African Poetry-written in English and French by the young intellects at Glendon College, York University, we come to realize that one cannot run away from his or her problems. The past can always be found in the present, and has proven to be essential to oral tradition and literature.

 The poems in this book are both traditional, free verse and modern. They aim to provide readers of African descent and non-Africans with an enhanced understanding of African lifestyle and identity.

The poets contributing to this book have considered ‘African unity’ and ‘freedom’ symbolically, unto the ‘idea of Africa and its African-ness whose identity is contentious and unique. The Glendon Africa Network dedication to inspirational, inventive and innovative poetry explore and aim to explicate themes such as peace and tender love, African’s dashed hopes and cries, Rwanda genocide, underdevelopment in Africa, and need to develop. Most of these poems tend to convey contemporary issues facing Africa, ideas of honour, meanings, feelings, wit, and thus challenges the populace, especially the group to sponsor through fund raising events and publication disadvantaged children in Africa whose families are incapable of financing their education due to chronic poverty

 Open the Anthology to any page and discover a new poem to treasure or delight in all the poems , one at a time, to feel the full measure of Africa’s modern and contemporary poetry‘s vibrancy and abundance and depiction of its people home and abroad through arts and cultures.

Will post you with more details about ordering and sales of the book.

Thank you

Stephen Abara

Editor, Anthology of African Poetry

2011 GLENDON AFRICAN GAlA PHOTOSkool 

Dear members, Friends, and supporters:

I am writing to you on behalf of Glendon Africa Network to acknowledge the contribution every one of us has made to the growth and development of GAN in the last 4 years especially with the election of our 4th president and her executives, hosting of poetry competition in 2008, and our Annual Gala events between 2009 and 2011.

 We will like your permission and approval to use some group photographs, and personal pictures of GAN members, contributors, friends and benefactors for the publication of GAN Anthology of African Poetry this June 2011.

We feel it is very important to notify all members of the ongoing project especially now GAN has reached 4 years of its establishment with notable achievements on the part of members, Executives and all contributors alike. 

The ‘Anthology of African Poetry’ is a compilation of our achievement in the form of poetry and Photography. One way of continuing this project is by publication of our literary work that depicts the importance of our club at Glendon, and its aim to educate, encourage literary works of members, enlighten and stimulate debates, dialogues and action towards the development and growth of Africa and its children worldwide.

We would hope that the Executives, members, friends, benefactors and well wishers whose photographs has been selected for this purpose would understand, support and grant us this permission. We would like to place selected pictures on the GAN events sections in the book which comprises photos of poetry contributors, and selected events of GAN. If there is a rule and regulation we need to comply in formatting the originals of the pictures and bring the best out them, we will. 

Enclose, you will find a photo gallery of events done by GAN beginning from 2007 up till 2011. On the gallery of pictures, you will see I noted the events with headings and also names. As you can see, we will place them immediately after all written works of Glendon Poets and Bio’s.

In our continued effort to promote the activities of GAN locally and internationally, I  am excited to announce that this project will be a lasting legacy for our club and the beginning of what it is to come such as: GAN magazine publication, and recognition of GAN Geniuses, poets, artists worldwide. It is our hope that you would support this book project to completion to help raise fund for education of an African child per year. The proceeds from the book would be used to purchase school uniforms, books and accessories for young kids in Africa once the book is lunched.  I can be reached at: it.estev@hotmail.com; Tel: 07466692061(UK number)

If you and the executives, members, friends and benefactors of GAN would advise me on what additional information is needed to proceed with this request, I would greatly appreciate it. These may range from inclusion of extra group pictures of GAN, recommendation, name changes or additional names in the photos incase if you find any that is misspelled or incorrectly written etc.

I want to thank you in advance for your time and attention to our request. With unity, GAN must strive to push forward to the next level. We must utilize our experiences to achieve newer endeavors. We must stand together as a team and enjoy every moment of this great adventure ahead of us which include spreading the African culture and identity, and educational sponsorship of African child by GAN at Glendon College, York University. 

Sincerely Submitted,

Stephen Abara
Former President GAN

send e-mail to wiccc7@yahoo.com, wicc7@yahoo.com

urgent

to represent us in the Black congress, Canada