Miss Lou Archives Launched at the National Library of Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Friday, October 21, 2016 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Honourable Olivia Grange, has officially launched the Miss Lou Archives at the National Library of Jamaica.

“I am very pleased to open the Miss Lou Archives at the National Library of Jamaica. Miss Lou has played so many roles in Jamaican culture. She was folklorist, poet, actress, author, songwriter, singer, comedienne and activist. However, through this new resource — the Miss Lou Archives — we get a glimpse into the life of this Jamaican cultural icon as we’ve never seen before,” the Minister said.

According to Minister Grange, the Miss Lou Archives includes her personal collection of unpublished material including photographs, recordings, diaries, letters & drafts in her own hand, and among other artefacts.

The Minister said, “The Archive adds to the vast treasure trove of works by Jamaicans and about Jamaica housed at the National Library of Jamaica; and which we proudly share with the rest of the world.”

Speaking at the launch of the Archives on Thursday, Minister Grange, said her Ministry, through its agency, the National Library of Jamaica, continues to take steps to further promote the works of the Honourable Louise Bennett Coverley.

 

She used the opportunity to encourage literary masters and content creators in various sectors to deposit their works at the National Library, “as we have a competent team that will manage, preserve and share the archives with the nation (and the world) for all times.”

She thanked the leadership and staff of the National Library of Jamaica for their hard work in cataloguing and presenting the Miss Lou Archives.

“We also pay tribute to archivist Rosemary Dodd who worked with the National Library staff on this important project and to McMaster University, which will work with our National Library team on innovative ways to manage this national resource,” Minister Grange added.

“Miss Lou will not and cannot be confine to our glorious past. She is still relevant today… And her legacy lives in us and here at the National Library,” the Minister expressed.

The launch comes on the heels of the 97th anniversary of Miss Lou’s birth.

Commentary

It is great that the Culture Ministry has seen it fit to focus on collaborating with entities in the performing arts in paticular to preserve Jamaica’s cultural Heritage for posterity.

Peter Tosh Museum

This late reggae artiste was immortalized recently when a museum was opened in Kingston, Jamaica W.I. to keep alive his work.

Miss Lou is one such cultural icon who retired and died in Canada.

Minister Grange must be congratulated for her support/ work, and for all concerned for their Vision.

Without vision the people will perish.

Commentary is by Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie, SIC … who was at Peter Tosh’s museum opening.
We will post more details later with pictures from the museum.