MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony will declare open the first ever Bom Fin/Lethem Cultural Extravaganza, in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) on Friday afternoon.
The festival, at Lethem, was initiated by Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and its President, Mr. Alfred Ramsarran said all the arrangements have been finalised for the two-day event that continued through Saturday.
The venue, for the 18:00h opening ceremony, as well, is Rupununi Rodeo Ground.
Cultural artistes from both Bom Fin and Lethem and, indeed, Guyana and Brazil will share the stage Friday night, for the first time, to showcase togetherness, in the initial stage, after which Guyanese will demonstrate the culture of their six peoples, he said.
Ramsarran said performers will be travelling from as far as Corentyne, Berbice, East Coast Demerara and Linden, Upper Demerara River.
“They include masquerade and queh-queh dancers, African and Indian drummers,” he elaborated.
Ramsarran said the Brazilians will, similarly, illustrate their traditions, including the internationally well-known ‘Samba’, on both nights.
Stalls stocked and manned by residents of both communities will have food and drinks from the two countries on sale, at the festival that is in aid of deepening the integration process, he said.
Ramsarran announced that, on each night, a beauty queen from either side of the Takutu bridge will be crowned, as arranged by the coordinating Bom Fin/Lethem Joint Commission.
The body, which held its inaugural meeting earlier this month, includes Brazil Vice-Consul
Mr. Thetonio Santa Cruz, representatives of schools, the Municipality, the Military and the Private Sector of Bom Fin; Region Nine Chairman, Mr. Clarindo Lucas; Lethem Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman, Mr. Terrence Boston and representatives of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF).