CELEBRATIONS   in recognition of International Year for Peoples of African Descent continue as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport will be putting on a cultural festival today.
The event, at the Guyana National Stadium, will see participation by some 56 groups, according to information provided yesterday by Minister with the portfolio, Dr. Frank Anthony, who joined Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon at his usual post-Cabinet media briefing at Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.
Entrance to the show, which begins at 16:00 hrs and concludes at 20:00 hrs, is free. Booths will be on display with craft, creole food and other items and performances within villages that were recreated would also form part of the agenda.
Minister Anthony said the festival is aimed at heightening awareness of the African Culture and “lots of explanations” will, therefore, be provided. Apart from this, there will be a section of film shows pertaining to persons of African descent.
Since it has been observed that many people are intrigued by African hair wraps, there will be a special booth for this activity and an entire session will be dedicated to teaching African drumming, he said.
There will be a concert, as well, from 20:00 hrs on the local aspect dealing with tradition, slavery, independence and the modern era.
The name of the concert is ‘San Cofa’, and “it’s a mythical word. It means that you must not be afraid to go back to your past and take things that you have forgotten and bring them forward. It’s like reviving your culture so that you can make progress in the future. It’s an apt name for this activity,” Minister Anthony remarked.
The international segment will see performances from a group in Suriname, too, ‘Natural Black’ and other local artistes.