Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KOLKATA249
2007-08-21 03:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
KOLKATA: U.S. SPEAKER EDDY HARRIS SUPPORTS MUTUAL
how-toVZCZCXRO5214 RR RUEHCI DE RUEHCI #0249 2330326 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 210326Z AUG 07 FM AMCONSUL KOLKATA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1642 INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1562 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 2018
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
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