The theme for Mashramani 2025 is “Expressing our Culture and Creativity as One Guyana,” emphasising its focus on national pride, creativity, and cultural inclusivity.
This is according to Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports Charles Ramson, who made the announcement at his ministry’s end-of-year press conference. The celebration is set to feature a series of exciting events, including the Calypso Monarch, Soca Monarch, Dancehall Monarch, Splashramani, Masharama, Republic Flag Raising, Chutney Monarch, the Costume and Float Parade, and the Panorama Steel Band Competition. These events will take place from February 14 to 24, with the Costume and Float Parade being the highlight of the festivities.
Minister Ramson also provided insight into the early preparations for the float parade, noting that his ministry has already secured funding for designers involved in the event. “We started the preparations with the designers for the float parade. We had a meeting with them about two weeks ago. We were able to secure the funding for them as well so that they could go to the various ministries with their proposals. This is early preparation for the float parade…,” he explained.
Among other announcements was the launch of the ‘Write To Stage’ theatre programme, an initiative designed to nurture local talent among writers, producers, and actors. This focuses on mentorship, workshops, and hands-on experience in theatre production, and aims to empower emerging creatives while revitalizing the country’s performing arts sector.
Additionally, the minister disclosed plans to continue the Culture Boot Camps for Creatives, designed to provide immersive training and mentorship for young and emerging artists. These boot camps focus on various creative disciplines, including visual arts, music, dance, and film, and aim to develop skills, foster collaboration, and inspire innovation among participants.
Meanwhile, another exciting development is the upcoming launch of the culture and creative registry online platform, set to go live in a few months. This digital hub will serve as a centralised space for creatives to network, access resources, and showcase their work to local and international audiences. According to the minister, the platform is expected to revolutionise Guyana’s creative industry by connecting artists with global opportunities.
Reflecting on the ministry’s achievements over the past four years, the minister underscored significant strides in cultural preservation and development. These include the restoration of historical landmarks, the promotion of Indigenous cultural expressions, and increased support for artists through grants and training opportunities. Flagship events such as the National Drama Festival and regional cultural showcases were also praised for their role in strengthening Guyana’s cultural identity.
And despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, the ministry successfully adapted by utilising virtual platforms to sustain cultural engagement. These innovations not only ensured continuity but also expanded participation from Guyanese across the diaspora.
During the press conference, the minister addressed questions from the media, including enquiries about the National Museum and the National Art Collection, and spoke of plans to expand them both. He confirmed that plans are in place for the purchase of more artwork to expand the collection, and regarding the National Museum, stated, “Yes, it will be moved eventually. We went out to tender for a design for a new museum and art gallery towards the end of last year, and those design submissions are already in.”
Ramson emphasised the importance of displaying the country’s artwork and heritage in a space that reflects Guyana’s design vision. “It’s very important for us to tell our story as a nation, and we want to do it in a space that reflects the kind of design we are aiming for. We are building a new museum in the future, but we won’t be moving the current one until that’s completed,” he said.
The minister concluded the press conference with a call for collaboration from citizens, businesses, and stakeholders to support Mashramani 2025, promising a vibrant celebration of Guyana’s rich cultural heritage.
