The Michael Forde Bookstore and Internet Café was yesterday re-dedicated at the PPP headquarters on Robb Street by the party’s General Secretary Clement Rohee.
The renovated bookstore was officially opened to the public after PPP executive member Gail Teixeira cut the ribbon. It is housed on the ground floor of Freedom House. It contains a small bar and sitting area for readers to enjoy while perusing literature on display.
The store is named after Michael Forde who was killed after a parcel given to him in the bookstore exploded in his hands in July 1964.
It was first established in the 1960s and noted for showcasing and selling “subversive” literature, Rohee said.
“Michael Forde gave his life so that many of us could be alive today. Today we want to re-dedicate this bookstore to our comrade Michael Forde,” he said, noting that the party decided to invest in rebuilding the bookstore because they desired to be “a part of the exciting journey” which readers are taking. He stated that he believes there is still an interest in reading printed books.
Rohee said too that the initiative is part of the party’s effort to modernize and rebrand itself. “This is a part of the ability of the party to modernize, this is a part of the party to rebrand itself and to those who say that this PPP is lacking ideas, to those who say that this PPP is lacking creativity, I want them to come and visit this bookstore and they will see for themselves what this People’s Progressive Party is made of,” he remarked.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony were among the officials present at the opening.
