VZCZCXRO5214
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