Many Guyanese believe that the arts and culture are an afterthought for government and not respected as other disciplines. But arts and culture are integral in shaping any society. Imagine how dull the world would be without the colour arts and culture adds to it. And in a time of global crisis when living has become more challenging what better way to alleviate the tension, anxiety, and trauma than to promote the arts and culture.
After two years of the fear and uncertainty that came with the pandemic COVID-19, entertainment events have returned to Guyana. We have seen shows at the National Stadium and National Park, events around the country and there are plans for other events throughout the rest of the year. But what we have not seen are many activities at the National Cultural Centre. At least not ones that have been advertised for the public.
In 1951 a foundation stone was laid for the National Cultural Centre. However, it was in 1971, that architects were invited to submit designs. Construction began in 1972, but it was not until May 16th, 1976, that the National Cultural Centre was officially opened by then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham.
Since then, numerous productions have been held at the National Cultural Centre over the years. Last weekend the ‘Mother and Daughter’ pageant returned after two years for its 29th edition. From all reports the seats were filled, and the pageant was a success. The organizers must be congratulated.
However, what about other activities at the National Cultural Centre? Will we see other productions? Will we see a return of theatre soon?
There have been reports that people have tried to rent the National Cultural Centre over the last few months, and they received no response or acknowledgement of their letters when they would have written to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. When they were told they could not rent it, no reasons were given. It must be noted that in previous years the responsibility for the rental of the National Cultural Centre was the Administrative Manager’s, but now that responsibility is the Minister’s, Hon. Charles Ramson and I would assume that this was at his request.
A letter appeared in this newspaper a few weeks ago from Mrs. Gem Madhoo-Nascimento where she penned her challenges in trying to rent the National Cultural Centre for the Link Show. She wrote the Minister’s office after being advised by the Administrative Manager of the National Cultural Centre and she received no response. She ended the letter by stating that the rental of the National Cultural Centre seems up to the sole discretion of the Minister.
The Link Show began in 1981 and it is the longest running theatre production in Guyana. This year would mark Link Show 36. If the producer of the established and beloved Link Show has had challenges renting the National Cultural Centre, what about others?
Why is the responsibility of deciding who gets the rent the National Cultural Centre now up to the Minister? I would imagine that having an entire ministry to run that any great leader would not seek to micromanage.
Why when people write to the Minister’s office requesting to rent the National Cultural Centre, they are not receiving acknowledgements or responses to their letters? Is this not unprofessional and disrespectful?
Ms. Simone Dowding, founder of Purple Arts Production, who has 38 years of experience as a theatre practitioner would have also written to the Minister’s office seeking to rent the National Cultural Centre to host the fifth edition of her show ‘A Treat for My Mother’ which is held on Mother’s Day. She also received no response and eventually when she enquired, was told she could not rent it and was not given a reason as to why this was so. She was encouraged to visit the ministry to speak with the Minister, sat there for a couple of hours and in the end was not successful in seeing him even though he was there.
Who does the National Cultural Centre belong to? Does it belong to the people of Guyana, the government, or the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport?
In previous years though other Ministers of Culture, Youth and Sport such as Hon. Gail Teixeira and Hon. Frank Anthony would have received their fair share of criticism, there was never such an issue of people not being allowed to rent the National Cultural Centre. For a national space to be up to the discretion of one person reveals the preposterousness that some people in this society exude when they are placed in positions of power.
Are people not being allowed to rent the National Cultural Centre because of the new seats that were purchased under the previous administration? Are there some undisclosed documents that shows that it was the Minister himself who paid for the new seats and other renovations? If this is so, then this might explain why from all appearances the National Cultural Centre now belongs to him.
Are the new seats too good for the ordinary people to place their rumps? Is it a concern that somehow the presence of the ordinary people will desecrate this ‘sacred space’? But then, the ‘Mother and Daughter’ pageant was held last weekend so maybe it is not that.
Is it concerns about COVID? The taskforce? After all the activities we have seen around the country with thousands gathering at events at the National Stadium for example, I do not think it is that. And if that was the case for the National Cultural Centre then it would not be rented to anyone. And what about the reports of private events being held there? I am just asking.
Some of us are given the opportunity to inspire change for the betterment of the society. When we are placed in positions of power, we can foster development and work towards unifying the people, but instead some of us choose to squander that opportunity. We do not think about our legacy.
There is an opportunity for the rebirth of theatre after its decline over the last two decades and the interruption because of COVID-19. And part of that rebirth is allowing producers to rent the National Cultural Centre without hassle or bias. Producers pay to use the National Cultural Centre so not only are people not being able to promote arts and culture, but there is revenue that the National Cultural Centre is not receiving because of this folly. It is issues like these that makes the dream of ‘One Guyana’ seem unattainable. For ‘One Guyana’ to become a reality, we need genuine leaders who are for all the people, who will not discriminate but seek to build.
I hope that the challenges with renting the National Cultural Centre will be addressed and that producers will be allowed to rent it without difficulty, bias, or disrespect. But if nothing changes, I will not be surprised.
