After a long break, calypsonian and costumer designer Winfield James is ready to compete in the calypso and costume band competitions in this year’s Mashramani celebrations.
James unveiled some replicas of the costumes he will be creating for the float parade during a recent audience with President Donald Ramotar. According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), James said that the models symbolised Guyana in the near future. They were created under the theme “Fantasy of Projections,” and depict mining, hydropower, roads and other infrastructure and agriculture.
The artist said he had taken a break from Mash celebrations to focus on other projects but that he is eager to participate in this year’s festivities. “I want to get back in and do something… I won band of the year, years ago and I stopped doing Mash to concentrate on calypso and [my] Mother’s Day show but the feeling is there to do Mash again this year,” he explained.
James is also a contender in this year’s Mashramani calypso competition and he sang an extract from his entry which focuses on domestic violence. The president endorsed James’s ideas and referred him to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony for further discussions.
According to GINA, the ministry has expanded its Mash programme this year to include lectures, cultural discussions, workshops, folk concerts and an art exhibition in order to balance the carnival aspect with educational values.
The calendar of activities that will culminate with the costume and float parade in the city, includes the Inaugural Republic of Guyana Lecture, shared perspectives by Professor John Rickford from Stanford University, various workshops to showcase “culture relating to growth of development,” folk concerts and an art exhibition set for Castellani House.
