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Berbice Mash attracts thousands
NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE – Revellers from all walks of life took to the streets of New Amsterdam yesterday Sunday to celebrate Mashramani 2009. The float parade took off from the Tacama Turn (Marks Bridge ) and revellers made their way to the State House in New Amsterdam via the Main Road and into Vryheid Street.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr. Frank Anthony described the scene as being filled with thousands of enthusiastic spectators all having a jolly time. This was his first Mashramani in New Amsterdam. He noted that there were not as many floats in Berbice as there were in the capital city but, nevertheless, he was heartened by what he saw. 
He said that with Linden and New Amsterdam clashing the same day for their float parade, the floats from Georgetown had to be divided. On Saturday Mahdia had their parade and some also had to be a part of that.
Like in the capital city, New Amsterdam too had a mix of persons from all ethnic groups. “This is what Mash is all about – people enjoying themselves.”
The Minister is optimistic that Mashramani 2010 would be bigger and better, particularly so if the private sector decides to get on board. He noted that when business entities decorate their surroundings it assists in creating just the right ambience. “This year they (business entities) have been a little tardy.”
He believes that with the right amount of encouragement all this could change, since Mashramani is a natural festival and the private sector should willingly invest in the celebration. This in itself could have a positive spin-off for them. “It’s not all about giving back, but they (business entities) will have the exposure for both their companies and products. In Georgetown there were about 50,000 to 60,000 persons out on the road. When the float parade goes to the other regions, it adds to the exposure and is a good form of advertisement for the companies. It is a win-win situation.”
The Minister noted that the float from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture was designed by the Burrowes School of Art in Georgetown. “We didn’t go out to get a designer. The students and teachers did everything. It was part of their learning experience. Some of the students who graduate from the Burrowes School of Art would go on to be designers in their own right.”
Chairman of the Region Six Mashramani Committee, Faizal Jaffarally, said that when the float parade moved off from the starting point there were about 2,000 persons, but by the time it arrived at the final destination the number had increased greatly.
According to Mr. Jaffarally , among those participating were the Region Five Democratic Council and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports out of Georgetown. The Ministry of Health in Georgetown sent up the float and costumes, but the revellers were from Region Six.
Mr. Jaffarally expressed disappointment with the level of cooperation and lack of participation from the private sector. “This is a national event for all Guyanese, and hence the private sector should be on board. These business entities, particularly here in Berbice, are supported by the population at large, and this is their time to give back to society.”
Touching on the failure of many business entities to decorate their buildings, Mr. Jaffarally said that the business places are the main beneficiaries financially. “They should demonstrate a sense of patriotism. The least they could have done was decorate their business places. I am certain this is not too much to ask of them, especially when you think of how much sales would increase during this Mash weekend.”
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