It’s Mash Day: Guyana’s 40th Republic anniversary party

Feb 23, 2010 News

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(By Mondale Smith)

The children had their chance on Saturday and it was a mostly colourful, topical showcase of energised revelling.
Today, after months of preparation and millions of dollars in investment it is the day for Guyana’s ultimate Republic party. More than 30 bands are expected to hit the parade route in full and semi costumes. There will be additional contingents of T-shirt bands.
Guyanese from every corner, as well as international tourists, are expected to flock in their tens of thousands to the traditional Mashramani route from the assembly line at Camp and Church Streets.
They will follow the float parade that will be moving along Church Street, into Irving Street and along Thomas lands to observe and in some cases join in the revellery.
Officials of the National Mash committee are optimistic that it will be a good day full of sunshine and high energy. For some, from talk in the streets yesterday, it will be all out partying while for others it’s a perfect family time. They will find various spots on the Merriman Mall to place their picnic baskets filled with goodies.
Friends will reconnect and new acquaintances will be made but above all, the spectacle today will feature Guyana’s own carnival that promises to be mostly a full costumes affair of colours.
Now it’s the adults’ turn to compete for top prizes and designers for the coveted Designer of the Year title. Corporate Guyana numbering more than ten will be aiming for the top prizes for their costumes—the Individual Male and Female, and King and Queen crowns.
But the regions and other organisations will not be left out and neither will the religious bodies as this publication has confirmed that several political parties such as the PPP and the PNC as well as the AFC will be on the road in addition to the churches and the Hindu community.
The air of expectancy will be high also as thousands flock to the National Park stands as revellers participate in the annual Mashramani celebrations. At the location the competitive nature will be at an all time high too as the revellers seek to out do each other with co-ordinated and choreographed dance techniques before the final round of Judges.
After being out of the main competition last year, the creativity of the Facts ‘N Roses camp will be hot contenders through the more than 700 revellers in the GPL, and Banks DIH bands.
GPL will today be making its first appearance into the event with more than 200 revellers all focussed on promoting the use of the energy saver bulbs and the need for persons to stop using illegal connections and get back on the power grid in several individual costumes.
Designer Olympia Sonoram’s creativity will be paraded by the more than 400 revellers, individual males, and Females, Kings and Queens Floats of the Digicel and Carib bands.
The Carib band is focussed on promoting Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and ecotourism with the message that the Caribbean Sun offers hope on the horizon through Guyana’s forest.
After four years of being out of the costume parade, Banks DIH is back in the road parade today with its 500 strong contingent that will offer a sea of red and gold costumes under that encourage all to toast to Guyana’s 40th republic anniversary and the theme is Our Country, our Life our Beer.
The Ministry of Culture, as the lead Ministry in today’s celebrations, focuses on ‘Saving the Forest’ and will share the message that Guyana is the lungs of the world through its rain forest.
The Public Service Ministry will present a contingent of 50 showcasing Minister Jennifer Westford’s vision of “securing Guyana’s present and future” in the small bands category.
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs will focus its message on ensuring that “the forest must stay” while Region ten’s Brian Munroe’s creations and costumes will be focussed on ways to “save the planet”.
On the education front, the National Library has gone all out and will be presenting “Education to embrace our Cultural Diversity” where the Library will be presented as the Tree of Knowledge. It will also showcase the idea that knowledge is the doorway to career opportunities and the information resources offered by the national library.
The Education Ministry showcase will be one that borders on the theme of “education for all – a nation stands tall” through the integral partnership of the home, school and the community.
While the Ministry of Health’s participation remains a secret on the health front, the region three RDC will be out in their glory of shimmering colours with a message of “let’s help to prevent the pandemic rage.”
These are among the more elaborate of costumes that will be taking to the streets today.

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