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Emancipation Day 2023
– A Celebration of Freedom and Unity
Kaieteur News – Hundreds of Guyanese gathered at the National Park on Tuesday to celebrate Emancipation Day, a significant occasion that honors the emancipation of enslaved Africans.
Scenes from Emancipation Day 2023 at the National Park. (Photos by Wayne Lyttle, the Department of Public Information, and the National Communications Network)
Local artists performed the striking “Jonkonnu” dance, a colorful and rhythmic expression of emancipation and resilience, originally practiced by enslaved Africans to assert their identity and freedom. Spectators gathered in awe, clapping to the beat and embracing the spirit of unity that permeated the air.
One of the highlights of the day was the “Heritage Extravaganza,” an exhibition of Guyana’s diverse cultural heritage. Display booths featured artifacts, clothing, and stories from various ethnic groups, allowing attendees to learn about their fellow citizens’ traditions, customs, and values.
“We celebrate Emancipation Day to remember the struggles faced by our forefathers and to appreciate the liberty we now enjoy,” said James Allen, a resident of Golden Grove participating in the festivities.
“It’s a day to come together, irrespective of our backgrounds, and celebrate our shared identity as Guyanese,” he told Kaieteur News.
“Emancipation Day reminds us of the strength and resilience of our people in the face of adversity,” Daivd Thompson told this newspaper. “It serves as a potent reminder that freedom must be protected and preserved for all, and that we must strive to build a nation where every citizen is treated with dignity and respect.”
Sahrah Persaud, a young Indo-Guyanese woman, proudly displayed her family’s traditional clothing and artifacts. “Emancipation Day is not only about African history but also about embracing each other’s cultures and histories,” she told Kaieteur News. “We’re all part of the beautiful tapestry that is Guyana.”
Government officials including Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips also attended the celebrations in the National Park. (Wayne Lyttle )
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