–urges Minister Hughes at launch of Golden Jubilee Celebration

By Ravin Singh
THE stage is being set for Guyana’s highly-anticipated Golden Jubilee Celebrations, and Guyanese must positioned themselves to capitalise on opportunities which will present themselves during this time.

This was the admonition of Minister Cathy Hughes, the person with the portfolio of Public Telecommunication and responsibility for Tourism, during her address last evening at the launch of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, hosted at Colgrain House on Main Street, Georgetown.

Unveiling a list of the Jubilee activities which were so skilfully crafted they have resulted in the “booking-out” of hotels and inns all across the capital city, Minister Hughes noted that Guyana is setting the stage to be further recognised internationally.

With a massive influx of overseas-based Guyanese and tourists expected during this time, she revealed that every facility in the hospitality business in Guyana has been solidly booked from the end of April to the beginning of June. This, she said, has resulted in the Ministry lobbying homeowners in Georgetown and other parts of the country to make their spare rooms available to visitors under the bed-and-breakfast programme at the Tourism Ministry.

But the challenge is that almost every family approached has indicated that they, too, have members returning during this time.

This event provides an opportunity for producers of local goods and services to benefit significantly, once they are prepared.

Over the years, Guyanese who produce local goods and services have complained about their products being stifled because of importation of foreign good and their inability to compete on regional markets.

The limitation of packaging and export opportunities has also hindered their ability to compete at these levels, but with a projected huge arrival of tourists, Minister Hughes advised, is would be the perfect opportunity for local businesses to showcase their products and services, since many eyes and ears would feast on Guyanese products.

“With the amount of tourists, that’s thousands of mouths to feed with Guyana’s tasty foods; thousands of feet that will walk into your businesses; thousands of people to sell your products to; and thousands of people to entertain,” she said.

And this underscored the need for businesses to advertise during this time, since, according to her, it can provide entry to them in new foreign markets.

Minister Hughes also recommended the expansion of businesses to include other products. “This is a wonderful opportunity to literally catapult our economy onto the stratosphere,” Minister Hughes said.
This event, though, is not centred on a commercialised theme. In fact, it is one which facilitates the gathering of like-minded souls with the Guyana Festival, exhibits, performances, and other cultural orientations dominating the festival. It is a fair where local craft rub shoulders with fashion shows, gastronomy, music and other creative art forms.

CULTURAL EXPLOSION
And given this fact, Minister Hughes expressed the view that this event is an explosion of the country’s fine culture.

“It puts on show an amazing array of Guyanese talent, from performing to cooking, to painting and sculpting to designing and decorating,” she added.

But while some corners have fostered the thought that Guyana doesn’t have much to celebrate, the Minister dispelled this notion with supportive facts which pin Guyana as a regional model.
She referred to the 65-mile long Linden-Soesdyke Highway which stands as a representation of being the first of its kind in the Caribbean, but is often taken for granted.

Then there is the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which is the first floating bridge to be constructed in the Caribbean. Measuring 6074ft, this bridge was designed by a Guyanese, Captain John Coghlan. What is noteworthy ,too, is the fact that it was designed only to last 10 years but has been in existence and full operation for 38 years.
However, Guyana’s achievement is not limited to infrastructure development.
And Minister Hughes sought to highlight this by referencing outstanding Guyanese who all gained international recognition for their contributions in various sectors.

And there waAmong them are former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Sir Shridath Ramphal; the first female Chief Justice and the first female Judge at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Madame Desiree Bernard; Mohamed Shahabuddeen, a Judge at the International Court; and former West Indies Captain, Clive Lloyd.
According to the Minister, the Jubilee Celebration has been carved into six main components, with the opening night facilitating spiritual upliftment through ceremony. The second night will showcase “everything Guyanese” including exciting performances from each of the country’s ten administrative regions and by each of the six ethnic groups.

The third night of celebration will present a kaleidoscope of Guyana’s living musicians who have been touring the world over the past 30 years. The following night will be the ‘Next Generation’ which puts on show Guyanese who are international recording artistes, dancers, dramatists and other internationally-recognised persons in the arts.

This will be succeeded by Guyana’s biggest fashion extravaganza, which will be staged in the afternoons from Thursday to Sunday. According to her, every acclaimed Guyanese designer will put on show their best designs.
Also, the Guyana festival which will be hosted at the Guyana National Stadium will showcase Guyanese products, including tasty dishes and beverages, arts and craft items, and other art forms.
And with the Jubilee Festival being a rare opportunity to show the world the best of Guyana’s culture, Minister Hughes noted, the country will get the recognition that it has always been striving for.

“We have to present our country as it is: strong, united and free,” she said passionately.