CULTURE FEST 2011 will be taken to Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten in an effort to showcase Guyanese cultures and sensitise persons on the various religious beliefs, as well as to encourage interaction among persons from various backgrounds. This was disclosed Friday by Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Committee (ERC) Bishop Juan Edghill at a meeting which consisted of members of various cultural and religious organisations.
Bishop Edghill emphasised the need for such an event as little time is usually devoted to learning about different cultural backgrounds and developing knowledge about the various religious beliefs.
He added that the culture fest aims at educating persons through sharing information, encouraging dialogue, and allowing mingling among persons from various communities.
The initiative is in keeping with the ERC’s constitutional mandate of creating respect for religious and cultural diversity in the country.
He highlighted that the activity will commence from March and conclude in August in Region Six.
The activities would include inter-village competitions, exhibition booths, joint cultural stage presentations and impromptu speech competitions.
Bishop Edghill said that the inter-village competition is aimed at breaking down invisible lines that exist among members of communities, encouraging mingling and persons can learn how to win and lose gracefully.
He noted that the speech competitions will give persons the opportunity to express themselves on various topics, and at the same time encourage dialogue within and among community members in a non-confrontational manner.
Regional committees will be mobilised in the various regions to ensure that the plans for the event are successful.
ERC will provide trophies for the various competitions and secure the venues.
In 2006, culture fest was held for two days and saw the participation of 62 booths.  (GINA)