–Prashad
The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has declared the premiere Mahdia Expo a resounding success.
Minister Manniram Prashad said the ministry plans to work with the community and organisers to host the fair annually. The three-day event, held under the theme ‘Celebrating our Potential’ saw thousands of visitors touring the community of 900, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said. All the funds raised at the fair will be used to establish a modern recreational facility on 12 acres of land.
Open-pit mining
to become tourism feature
The minister is also hoping to capitalise on miners’ willingness to give tourists a firsthand look at gold extraction, by including it in a tourism package. Prashad said Guyana has been referred to as El Dorado, the Lost City of Gold, and the ministry is considering marketing sustainable mining to international tourists. He is hopeful that the annual expo in Mahdia will generate renewed interest in the legend. According to GINA, Satnarine Sahadeo, owner of one of the largest open-mining operations in Guyana, has indicated his willingness to come on board with the ministry’s plans and to facilitate visitors at his camps.
La Rose Festival
The release said the La Rose Festival was held in honour of the residents who are originally from St Lucia. Organiser Norma Beckles said numerous requests had been made to host the festival but persons knowledgeable about the music needed for the festival had all died. Beckles said she hopes next year the community can host the traditional version of the festival.
The Miss Mahdia pageant was among the major highlights of the fair. Melissa Adams was declared the winner from among ten contestants, by a panel of judges including Ali Williams, Marcelle London and Gerard Gilkes.
Participants charmed their audience with dancing, singing and poetry recitations. According to GINA the intelligence segment of the pageant highlighted the need for impromptu speaking to become an integral part of schools curriculum. During intermission the audience showcased their own dancing skills to accompaniment from ‘One-man band’ Jermaine McBean.
GINA said patrons also visited booths erected by the ministry, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Merundoi and the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security. The Brazilian Night was also a great success. Hosted by Shafrana Santos the event gave patrons a taste of Brazilian life and culture and included several Brazilian miners who make up a large per cent of the population. Spectators also enjoyed sport such as football matches.