Dear Editor,
On Friday May 26, 2023, the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC), a non-profitable organization on the Corentyne will mark Guyana’s 57th Independence Anniversary with the largest celebrations ever seen in Region 6. Last year’s Independence celebrations, which were organized and sponsored by MJVC group, was well attended by residents from across the region, but this year’s celebrations is expected to attract hundreds if not thousands of people in and out the region from as far as West Coast Berbice and elsewhere.
With weather permitting, this year’s independence celebrations is expected to be the only celebration of its kind in East Corentyne, It will be an all-day gala family celebration starting at 7:30 AM with a two-and-a-half-mile male and female foot race from No. 36 Village to the Eversham Community Center. Prizes will be awarded to the first three winners.
This will be followed by a two-mile road march starting at 11:30 AM from Brighton Village to Epsom Village and then back to the Eversham Primary School where there will be a day of fun for all, especially for the children who will participate in several cultural, social, and educational activities including the recital of poems, singing of folk songs, playing of games and dancing to a variety of songs, and an education quiz competition on the history and geography of the country.
Thousands of children and adults from the Macedonia Joppa district and elsewhere are expected to join the road march under the theme “Uplifting the People and Celebrating One Guyana.” Participants in the road march will be decked out in a dazzling array of colourful attire of gold, blue, white, black, yellow, red, and orange portraying the colours of the Arrowhead, and depicting Guyanese culture, lifestyle, and heritage. Residents of all ages and from all walks of life, regardless of race, religion, or social status from the Macedonia Joppa villages of No. 35 and 36, Brighton, Kiltearn, Eversham, Epsom, Bengal and No 43 will line both sides of the roadways to view the colourful display of costumes and the rich and gorgeous outfits as their fellow villagers danced to the rhythm of the lively and customary soca music supplied by the Yard Byzd Entertainment Sound.
For the residents, Independence is much more than partying, eating, drinking and dancing in the streets, all of which is part of our culture and heritage, rather it is a celebration of Guyana becoming an independent nation on May 26, 1966, to manage its own affairs. It was the end of colonial rule and Britain’s domination of our land, people and resources. Independence became a symbol of unity and togetherness and a time for all Guyana near and far to put aside their differences and biases and come together to celebrate as one people, one nation with one destiny. Independence is a true celebration of our diversity, culture, elegance and maturity of the nation and the power and strength of Guyanese in every community. It is a testimony to our enriched social and shared heritage as a nation. The Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee invites all in the district and elsewhere to join and participate in the celebration on Friday May 26, 2923.
Sincerely,
Dr. Asquith Rose, MJVC Chair
Ms. Vanessa Ross-Albert, MJVC Public Relations
Director
