Over 35 bands are expected to be a part of the Costume and Float Parade on May 26 when Guyanese will celebrate the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary, according to Lennox Canterbury, Special Project Officer for the celebrations.
He was speaking yesterday at the launch of the Ministry of Education’s, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport 50 days Countdown to the Jubilee.
According to a release from GINA, the bands will also travel a new route from the customary one taken for the annual Mashramani Costume and Float parade.
Canterbury explained that the parade will kick off at the usual starting point – Church and Camp Streets – at 10:00 hrs. The parade will proceed west on Church Street to Avenue of the Republic where it will go south then turn east on to Brickdam and straight into the Jubilee Park (D’urban Park) for the final round of judging.
He said that the bands will exit the park through the easternmost bridge, then proceed east along Homestretch Avenue where they can either disband by the National Cultural Centre (NCC) or anywhere along that route.
Meanwhile, Artistic Director, Dr Seeta Shah-Roath explained that designers, companies, ministries, regional representatives and other participating entities are looking at five decades of Guyana from different perspectives as it relates to the concept and designs of the floats and bands.
All the participating entities will seek to capture the theme of the 50th celebration – ‘Reflect, Celebrate and Inspire’.
“They are looking at the persons who were the major movers and shakers within the particular decades. They are looking at the new highlights, the major achievements whether as a nation, as a company, region, within the decade,” she said.
She explained as well that for the entire float parade, the committee is trying to achieve an event of international standard in terms of “artistic perspective” and in terms of “how we look and how we prepare the costume.”
The committee is also looking to have maximum use of local material for the creation of the costume and bands and the use of Guyanese music during the parade, she said.
Prior to the parade will be the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Jubilee Park on May 25, the release said.
Canterbury explained that for this ceremony there will be cultural activities that involve song, music and dance and that these would take place prior to the arrival of diplomats, the President and the Prime Minister. These activities will feature a minimum of five mass presentations on the ground, including a 100-strong youth choir and a 100-plus strong national steel orchestra, he said.
According to Canterbury, following the arrival of the President, there will be a special patriotic presentation by the choir, then a joint service band presentation, followed by the military drill display. Prayers will precede the raising of the flag, which will be followed by the recitation of the pledge, then the singing of “Guyana the Free”, followed by the National Anthem.
The parade will move off the square of the Jubilee Park and the night will end with a fireworks display, Canterbury added.
