Trinidad and Tobago celebrates International Literacy Day 2023

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: Trinidad and Tobago joined hands with the world in celebrating the ‘International Literacy Day’ on September 8, 2023. In this regard, the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago informed the book enthusiasts about their Yearbook Collection.

It outlined that this collection has been regarded as the most requested. “In honour of International Literacy Day, we are sharing with you some of our most requested records: our Yearbook Collection, which dates from 1882-1969!” the organisation mentioned through its official social media page.

It furthermore shared details regarding the collection and also informed about the brief idea of the context.

According to the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago, the records have been originally called Almanacs. These yearbooks hold a variety of information from official records and reliable sources. All include a general index followed by calendar information.

It furthermore informed that they contain historical information on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, names of Government officers, Military establishments, Churches, Boards and Committees, Clubs, Societies, Colleges and Schools, plus Regulations, Railway and Steamship timetables and fares.

There are also lists of Estates (sugar, cocoa, and coconut), including locations and the names of owners. Records of local events for the year are also documented, in addition to obituaries and local advertisements.

Historical information on Municipalities, Boroughs, Town Councils, past Mayors, and even the names of fruits and vegetables in season are also recorded.

It specifically highlighted that in the year 1911, there was a special issue for the coronation of King George V. Additionally, the Yearbooks of 1926 to 1941 include special sections on Barbados.

The following individuals compiled the yearbooks for the following years:
1882; 1893-1907; 1909-1915: Lt. James Henry Collins.
1886: Robert J. Lechmere Guppy.
1891: The Creole Almanac for Trinidad and Tobago by L.O. Inniss.
1908 – 1914: These editions were titled “The Mirror Almanac and General Commercial Directory”, compiled by the Mole Brothers.
1915-1944: C.B. Franklin.
1945-1969: H. Dow Yearbooks, which were also called “Franklin’s Yearbooks”.

As per the National Archives, the publication ended in 1969 with the 102nd issue. For further information and reading purposes, the organisation stated that these records are available to researchers in its Public Search Room, which is easily accessible.

International Literacy Day 2023:

International Literacy Day is also regarded as the ILD. The Day is celebrated on September 8 annually and the theme this year the theme is ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’. This theme underscores the transformative power of literacy in shaping the future.

The Day is marked under the guidance and instruction of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In this regard, the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, shared a message and appealed to the world to join hands and celebrate the Day with an open heart.

Azoulay was quoted saying that literacy has the power to transform drops of ink on paper into windows in the world. She also mentioned, “It opens the doors to knowledge, emancipation and imagination.”