Thousands of Guyanese from across the country swarmed the West Berbice village of Hopetown for the traditional annual Soiree on the evening of July 31 to celebrate throughout the night into August 1. Present at the oiree were Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, and several local artistes, including Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts.
The event is held the night before Freedom Day. It starts just before midnight and continues until dawn the following day. Several cultural activities were held, including African drumming, the singing of folk songs and dancing. Many persons were dressed in African outfits.
In addition, there was a candlelight parade, in which persons of all ages participated. There was an abundance of African dishes, including cook-up, metem-gee with fried fish and salt-fish, and other delicacies.
Many persons lined the road from early in the evening. Some were drinking beverages, while others were just strolling or dancing to the music from big boxes.
The old Fort Wellington School building held activities during the night which included African drumming, Queh Queh and other dances.
Minister Anthony said that the large number of people participating indicates that the African culture is being sustained by the present generation.
He noted that the celebrations are symbolic of freedom of fore-parents and persons are still honouring their struggles.
A former resident of Hopetown, Colleen Grant, who currently resides in the United States, visits yearly for the event and stated that she is here to celebrate the abolition of slavery and to honour her foreparents.
Hopetown village was among the first to be bought by freed Africans just after the abolition of slavery in 1834. (GINA)