Lit by President Donald Ramotar, the Christmas Village was ushered in yesterday evening to the soothing sounds of steel pans.
The village will be open to the general public for the next three days and will serve as a cultural beacon to light the path for Christmas.
Speaking at the opening, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag), Irfaan Ali said that the village will highlight the beauty and culture of Guyana and its people and retain a strong focus on the family.
“The village is a family. A family who worked to coin this event,” the minister said, mentioning that during the period of the Christmas Village, the ministry will be putting together a host of activities and events to entertain Guyanese families.
President Ramotar congratulated the staff of the ministry for their hard work to turn an initiative into a reality. He also extended his wishes to the nation, while encouraging persons to visit the village during the coming days. “It is important that our family enjoy Christmas in security,” he said.
Events Coordinator Chene Koama said that the initial idea was a challenge since the general public and stakeholders were accustomed to the annual Main Street Lime on Boxing Day. However, the idea became a reality when private companies joined the ministry in the quest. “We had GT&T, Courts, Banks DIH, and Digicel coming on board with us. GT&T and Courts being the two main contributors,” he stated.
The village is expected to be bigger for the next Christmas Season in 2013 and the ministry has already been recruiting members of the private sector and international organisations to join the village. The minister said that at the next year’s Christmas Village they are expecting to have a VIP Catwalk on Main Street that would focus on Caribbean and South American cultures, a Caribbean Rum and Rhythm and Food Festival, Guyana River fishing and a fusion of other culture and highlights that would boost the country’s tourism drive.
Excited booth owners displayed their products, declaring that the village was an excellent idea. A worker at a face painting booth said that the idea wasn’t a bad one and that change is good on some occasions especially at Christmas.
The opening was followed by musical entertainment by Nia Allen, Charmaine Blackman, Renee Winter, Brandon Harding and others. The village will continue for the next three days with entertainment such as steel pan performances, dramatic poetry, and jazz.
