Georgetown – The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport is looking at staging some of Guyana’s most popular cultural ceremonies as a new feature of Mashramani celebrations, to help create better tolerance in society.
Culture Minister Dr. Frank Anthony updating the media said, this year the Ministry will be working very hard to have some of those ceremonies performed and explained so that people can understand the different elements of these ceremonies.
The Minister expressed his pleasure at the progress being made with the preparations for the 41st celebrations and indicated that the Ministry, in order to sustain the masquerade band competition, which he noted is dwindling, has gotten onboard the convener of the Essequibo masquerade band competition for the National competition.
The dignity associated with Mashramani over the past 40 years can be expected in 2011 along with a few more attractions aimed at showcasing the culture and talents of Guyanese.
The HIV/AIDS song competition has been changed at the request of the health ministry to incorporate a broader spectrum of health issues facing Guyanese. It falls alongside the calypso senior and junior competitions and the chutney competition which are annual features.
Republic Bank has again come on board with the steel pan competition which will be held at the Cliff Anderson sports hall on February 13.
. The float parade which is an annual feature has seen a good response from young designers who have already put on two exhibitions, showcasing their designs for Mash using local materials and have offered affordable packages to companies participating in the float parade.
The ministry has also afforded a tax exemption to the designers who may need to import materials for their design concepts.
While the ministry has more than 25 entities signing on for the float parade, Minister Anthony is hopeful that more companies will get on board and make Mash 2011 a successful one. In this vein he indicated that the Ministry is targeting new, non-traditional companies to encourage their participation.
The minister also stated that besides public buildings, there will be flag raising ceremonies in each region across the country.
Another new feature added to the Mashramani celebrations will be the ‘Republic of Guyana’ lecture.
Schools which usually play a big role in the celebrations will be involved in competitions in art, literature and other activities.
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