Storyteller, Dr. Amina Blackwood Meeks, Launches Book

Professional storyteller, Dr. Amina Blackwood Meeks, has launched a book titled, ‘The Children Ought to Know’. 

The publication is a compilation of presentations, information and stories delivered at storytelling conferences and festivals over the past 10 years. 

The launch formed part of week-long activities for the 2022 Storytelling Conference and Festival, from November 13 to 20, under the theme: ‘Webs of Greatness’.  

The week culminates on National Storytelling Day, Sunday, November 20, with storytelling at libraries islandwide.  

The annual festival, called ‘Ananse SoundSplash’, began in 1998 and has attracted storytellers from around the world. 

The soft-cover book was officially launched during a ceremony at the Sky Gallery in Kingston, on November 15.   

It has been  dedicated to two prominent Jamaicans, the late Dr. the Hon. Wycliffe Bennett and the late Dr. the Hon. Barbara Gloudon, who served as patrons of the festival in 2003 and 2012, respectively. 

In a speech read by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Denzil Thorpe, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange, lauded Dr. Blackwood Meeks for her work. 

“She has almost unilaterally, not only kept the flame of storytelling alive within Jamaica and the wider region, but moreso has been unabashed at making ‘Ananse’ the centrepiece of her stories,” the Minister said.  

Ms. Grange noted that Dr. Blackwood Meeks has used storytelling “to bridge divides in human understanding, filled in gaps of knowledge deficit and built through it all, a more resilient, appreciative and robust body of young storytellers and storytelling enthusiasts.”  

She pointed out that Dr. Blackwood Meeks’ has, in this regard, engaged children and young people, both as spectators and participants. 

Ms. Grange said the publication is timely, while noting the uncertainty of the longevity of the oral tradition. 

“Many of our stories get lost across generations. However, when we place them in a book, that will last for succeeding generations,” she added. 

The Minister  said  the book can become part of the must-read texts of the Ministry of Education’s Culture in Education Programme. 

“It is about equipping succeeding generations with the tools for success,” Ms. Grange said.