An exhibition tracing the history of the birth of Guyana’s Republican status and artefacts showcasing Mashramani was launched Friday at the National Museum, the Government Information Agency reported.
The exhibition which will run until March 12 aims to educate the general public on Mashramani while showcasing the essence of Mash celebrations from the 1970s to the present through photos, costume displays, text, and videos.
Delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony said although most people associate Mash with jollification on the road, there are others who call for a balance.
“We must celebrate ourselves as a nation, as one people celebrate our successes, while we can see a manifestation of that on the road parade, we also want to have discussions, and lectures… we had for the first time a symposium on how we can situate Guyanese culture in a globalize environment. We had a wonderful lecture by Dr Vibert Cambridge focusing on the legacy of Guyanese music.”
Anthony pointed out that at the end of the activities people can come away with a sense of how they can utilize Guyana’s culture for the greater good of the nation.
He expressed appreciation to Godfrey Chin, renowned former costume designer, for recording the images that depict how the Republic anniversary was and is celebrated and for allowing Guyanese and overseas visitors the opportunity to view the historic photographic exhibition.
Assistant Director of Culture Col Lindon Ross told the gathering that the exhibition focuses on “sustaining our pride,” part of this year’s Mash theme, “Showcasing our culture, Sustaining our pride.”
He said the exhibition will show how Guyanese sustain that pride since it is not only about float parades, and the photos will attempt to put it all together for the 41 years.
