KOLKATA: U.S. SPEAKER EDDY HARRIS SUPPORTS MUTUAL

UNCLAS KOLKATA 000249 SIPDIS SIPDIS IIP/SV: MBANDLER; NEW DELHI FOR PAS: LSCHWARTZ, PEISENHAUER, ADASGUPTA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP SCUL KPAO IN SUBJECT: KOLKATA: U.S. SPEAKER EDDY HARRIS SUPPORTS MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING DURING VISIT TO NORTHEAST INDIA ¶A. NAME OF THE SPEAKER AND DATE OF PROGRAM: Eddy Harris, American Novelist, April 17-20, 2007 ¶B. SUMMARY: PAS Kolkata arranged programs for American writer, Eddy Harris, in Kolkata, Guwahati and Shillong, April 17-20, ¶2007. The programs included a talk, "The Globalization of Literature: For Good or Bad?" at the post-generated American Literature Study Circle seminar, "American Images: Re-Centering Globalization and Culture" in Kolkata (April 18) and at the Department of English, North-East Hill University, Shillong, (April 20) and a lecture/discussion on "The Meaning of the Mississippi River" at the Department of English, Guwahati University (April 19). The interactive sessions with poets and writers at Guwahati (co-sponsored by the Northeast Writers' Forum on April 18) and in Shillong (April 20) proved to be high points of Harris' visit. Several writers/poets read their own compositions and translations of African-American poets. The programs in Kolkata and in the Northeast States reached approximately 200 writers, poets, students, academics, government officials and media representatives, who were provided with a new look into the range and depth of values that determine globalization in American literature and history. Many of the leaders in various fields, including government, industry and media in the Northeast, are also creative writers-for them the reading sessions enabled post to interact with a range of valuable contacts. Harris was interviewed by "The Statesman" in Calcutta (circ: 178, 000) and the weekly magazine "Sadin" in Guwahati. ¶C. AUDIENCE SIZE: Kolkata, Guwahati and Shillong: more than ¶400. ¶D. EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SPEAKER IN COMMUNICATION OF INTENDED MESSAGE TO TARGET AUDIENCES: American writer, Eddy Harris' readings from his books, "Mississippi Solo" and "Jupiter and Me," emphasized the power of images and strong family bonds, reflected the current trends that determine contemporary American society and culture and accomplished Mission's public diplomacy program objectives successfully. Harris also gave his audiences new insights into "whiteness" studies, race/gender in the context of globalization; the widening and inclusive field of globalization that is responsible for the publishing and marketing of "ethnic" writers both in the U.S. and in other countries. ¶E. QUALITY OF SUPPORT AND OFFICES INVOLVED: Support was very good; post thanks IIP for the continued support to post's American Studies programs. ¶F. IMMEDIATE RESULTS/IMPACT: Harris successfully provided his audiences with insights into the range and depth of American cultural values that determine contemporary trends in African-American literature. Reading excerpts from his writings facilitated audiences to understand American society given the prevailing multiculturalism in the U.S. ¶G. LONG TERM RESULTS: Harris's presentations effectively accomplished our mission's public diplomacy program objectives, i.e. fostering mutual understand and appreciation through cultural exchanges. His visit was a valuable opportunity for post to identify promising young writers and teachers and give them a direct American exposure through a brisk intellectual exchange early in their careers. ¶H. PRESS PLACEMENT REPORTING: On May 6, 2007, Northeast India's most popular daily "The Assam Tribune" (circ: 68,000) featured African-American writer Eddy Harris's life and works in its Sunday special, following his visit to Guwahati for programs on April 18-19. Harris's interview was also published by "The Statesman" (circ: 178,000) in the Sunday magazine section-"8th Day," on April 29, 2007. JARDINE