With only 38 days to go for Mashramani 2010, the Ministry of Culture announced yesterday that 24 companies are already on board to participate in this year’s float parade.

At the meeting yesterday, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Mr. Alfred King; Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, and Head of the Mash Secretariat, Mr. Lennox Canterbury.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, speaking at the Ministry’s Boardroom yesterday, said that this year marks a special milestone – Guyana’s 40th Anniversary of being a Republic, and the Ministry is hoping to meet a target number of 40 for this year’s celebrations. He drew attention to the problem of late registration, urging companies to register early.

The work towards a successful Mashramani 2010 will continue with a packed activity schedule for all participants, leading right up to Mashramani Day.

Anthony said that the Ministry is collaborating with Guyana Entertainment Magazine (GEM) to put out a special 40th anniversary souvenir magazine next month

Plans are also in place to republish a series of rare books. The first 12 of 36 books which date back to the 16th century are scheduled to be released next month.

Head of the Mash Secretariat, Mr. Lennox Canterbury, released the “National and Regional Mash 2010 Calendar of Events” at the conference.

These include masquerade bands, calypso, chutney, children’s steel bands and costume competitions, regional activities and flag raising ceremonies.

Mashramani 2010 is being celebrated under the theme “Embracing our Diversity, Celebrating our Heritage”.

Mashramani celebrations date back to a group of Lindeners who staged a mini independence carnival which, from 1966 to 1970, became popular in the town.

By 1969, the legislature passed a resolution for Guyana to become a Republic which inevitably meant severing all ties with Great Britain.

Guyana’s achievement of Republic status influenced the organisers of the event to change the name of the festival from, Independence carnival to Mashramani, and an Amerindian word meaning “Celebration after a cooperative endeavour”.