‘Twas a kaleidoscope of colour as…
-in early celebration of Mash 2011
CHILDREN OF various ages from all 11 education districts took to the streets of Georgetown yesterday for the annual Children’s Road March which brings the curtains down every year on the Children’s Mashramani celebrations. And the show they put on was nothing less than spectacular, as evidenced by the press of spectators that followed in the procession’s wake. Thankfully, too, the weather held out, save for a light drizzle early into the activity, but it was fun for all nonetheless.

Making their way from Parade Ground on Middle Street, the bands were bursting with colour as the children bubbled over with an excitement that manifested itself in the dance moves that were in sync with the music accompanying the procession to the National Park.

At the Park, with much more space for the bands to do their thing, each youngster had their five minutes of fame as they strut their stuff before a panel of judges, as well as Education Minister Shaik Baksh and the Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony.
Both ministers concurred that this year’s show was par excellence, and definitely an improvement on last year’s performance. Minister Anthony lauded the manipulation of colour in a very creative way, while Minister Baksh commended the schools for doing a splendid job and making a definite impact with the messages advanced in the displays on show yesterday.

As per usual, North Georgetown Secondary’s girls gave the performance of their lives in a routine that brought out the ‘Showstopper’ in them, as they have been called locally.

And though the entry was not part of the competition, it was a clear indication of the wealth of untapped talent Guyanese children possess.

Many of the bands that were paraded around the National Park yesterday were seen earlier in the regional competitions, albeit we only had a taste of what was to come.
The bands came to the Parade full force, and while many schools from the Georgetown Education District presented on their own, the presentation from the regions featured many schools coming together as one band.

What was clear was that each band brought distinction to their performance; Region One (Barima/ Waini) brought a little bit of their cultural beliefs, and Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) brought a little love, among many other things.
That said, the competition was stiff, and many of the schools stepped up the pace, particularly the older children, bringing very good choreography to the National Park tarmac.

However, choreographed or not, like many stakeholders contend, the major impact was the messages that the children advanced in their respective bands.
The themes included everything, from protecting the forests, to President Jagdeo being named by the UN ‘Champion of the Earth’, and the importance of Information Communication and Technology (ICT).

Also featured was Guyana’s rich cultural heritage, of which all Guyanese should be proud, and which is the essence of Mashramani celebrations.

On a more general note, everyone involved in this year’s parade had a good time, especially the children, who had their chance at a ‘jump up’ since the adults usually take over on Mash Day.
The teachers were not to be left out, as they too were seen throwing in a few moves of their own here and there.
Chairpersons Travis Chase and Henry Rodney did their bit to engage the hundreds filling up the National Park stands.
One man was heard describing the show as “priceless” and the Guyana Chronicle agrees: The kaleidoscopic vision was nothing less.