The Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport has revealed some of the events planned for this year’s Mashramani celebrations, which will start this weekend.
This year’s celebrations, which are being run off under the theme “Celebration of Diversity, Unity and Sovereignty,” will kick-start Guyana’s 50th Independence Jubilee. Though the annual Mashramani float and costume parade has been rescheduled to May to coincide with other activities planned for the independence celebrations, a few of the traditional Mashramani events will go ahead as usual.
A press release issued by the ministry stated that steelband concerts to be held in Region 10 and Region 6, on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, will kick off the events. No venues were identified.
Another steelband concert is slated for February 14 in Region 4, while the annual Republic Bank Mash Panorama steelpan competition has been confirmed for February 25, at the Theatre Guild, for minor categories, and February 28, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, for large bands.
The junior and senior calypso competitions are also due to be run off. The junior competition will be held at the National Cultural Centre on January 30, while the adult calypso semi-final will be held on February 13 at Linden, while the finals will be held on February 19 in Georgetown.
The chutney competition, which will be a one-off for participants, will be held at the Uitvlugt ground on February 6. A masquerade competition, which is another one-off, is also planned for February 14 at Victoria.
Another one-off event is a planned concert for the elderly, which will be held at the Promenade Gardens on February 7.
Some of the children’s competitions, such as dance, drama and poetry, are scheduled to be run off from February 17 to February 19 at the National Cultural Centre, while the children’s costume parade and road march will be held on February 20.
The National Museum, which will open its Mashramani exhibition on February 10 to showcase the essence of Mashramani through the years. A national exhibition under a similar theme will also be opened at Castellani House on February 22. Castellani House will also host an exhibition of works from the children’s art competition, from February 26 to March 11.
Meanwhile, the closing date for registration for the annual ‘Bright-Up’ Guyana competition is February 19, while judging will take place between February 20 and February 23. The competition showcases the illumination of buildings and beautification of parapets,
On Republic Day, February 23, the annual flag raising ceremony at the Public Buildings will commence at 7am. A family fun day is also planned for the same day, beginning 12 noon, at the Indian Monument Gardens.
Other Mashramani activities, such as the ‘Capture Guyana Photographic Exhibition,’ are planned for March.
