-Minister promises ‘a real treat’
MASHRAMANI 2012 was formally launched by the Central Mashramani Committee (CMC) last Thursday at the Umana Yana in Kingston, with Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony unveiling an impressive, ‘packed programme’ for the upcoming season, and expressing optimism that with continued support, Guyanese will be in for a real treat. Among the highlight of the launching programme was the unveiling of a logo bearing the theme for Mashramani 2012 observances: ‘Mashing with pride; keeping the tradition alive’.
That theme was the winning entry of several submitted, and was the work of communication icon Ms. Margaret Lawrence, who won herself a substantial cash prize of $50,000.
As head of the CMC, Dr Anthony detailed activities planned for the season, and gave an account of the support whipped up so far. He gave the gathering an update on the stage of preparatory planning for the multi-cultural festival, outlining new approaches, such as incorporating an educational component with the Mash programme, and documenting and keeping for future use information from these initiatives, as well as partnering with sister Caribbean countries as Guyana seeks to strengthen the talents of it Soca and Chutney singers.
There was also a structured entertainment segment which featured Mash-winning entries from the 2011 Chutney, Road March, and Health Songs’ composers.       Ms. Tennecia De Freitas, who last year won the Health Songs’ component of the celebrations with “I don’t want to be born”, again has something good for the crowd, as she makes another admonition in support of healthful living and healthy lifestyles.
Meanwhile, treating the audience to a sneak preview of the 2012 Road March activities, a bevy of beauties, upbeat and “ready fo’ de road”, exuberantly revelled in colour and glitter, ideally capturing the spirit of the observances and exerting a magnetic pull on the paparazzi.  There was also a fashion display featuring the works of designers Collette Jones and Carol Fraser.   The entire programme was enjoyable to the last item.
Dr. Anthony said that, for 2012, some of the traditional elements and new approaches will be incorporated with the aim of drawing on the strengths of 2011 and making 2012 really better.

Competitions
The minister announced that the competitions for 2012 will include the Chutney, Calypso and Health Song as in 2011; the Masquerade Band competition; Steel Band competition; the Light Up and Bright Up Guyana competition, and the main Mashramani event – the Costume Bands and Float Parade.
The Central Mashramani Committee wishes to encourage corporate sponsorship in order to make the event a success.
Two major corporate sponsors – the Republic Bank Guyana Limited and Banks DIH Limited – have committed to continue in that vein, and it is hoped that others will follow suit, the minister disclosed.
At the forum, Public Relations Officer of Banks DIH Limited, Mr. Troy Peters, committed on behalf of his company to continue sponsoring the Calypso Competition. The Health Ministry has also indicated that it will continue to sponsor the Health Song competition.
Meanwhile, the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry is working feverishly on the re-introduction of the Masquerade Band competition and the Steel Pan competition, and is confident that these competitions will come on stream for 2012.
Assuring that there will be a Masquerade Band competition in 2012, Dr. Anthony called for a resurgence of the art form, and observed that in recent years the masquerade band has been moving into a state of decline.
Said Dr. Anthony: “This year (2012), we will have a Masequerade Band competition; and this is something we are very serious about, because we do not want this art form, which is firmly rooted in the Guyanese culture and history, to disappear.”
He said that the National School of Dance would be working with other stakeholders to ensure there is a competition in 2012.

Steel Band Competition
Dr. Anthony expressed satisfaction with the level of performance of the local steel bands, noting that over the years the performance has continued to grow from strength to strength.  He said the Culture Ministry was also delighted that more schools were becoming involved in playing steel pans and participating in the national competitions.
Alluding to steel band competitions held at the National Sports Hall, he praised this initiative, noting that through door fees raised, the ministry has been able to purchase two new sets of steel pans, one of which was donated to the School of the Nations with the hope that the young people of Tiger Bay could benefit from this art form.  To this end, Dr Anthony said, the ministry has also made a tutor available to help the initiative.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Chutney competition, the culture minister disclosed that there is some collaboration with Trinidad and Tobago in having the three top Chutney finalists travel to the twin-island republic to develop their Chutney skills in this regard. This initiative began last year when one person visited and participated in the Trinidad Chutney Competition.
The minister also said that his ministry was hoping that similar collaboration could be established with that sister Caribbean country through exchange visits.
And on the educational aspect of Mashramani, Permanent Secretary of the Culture Ministry, Alfred King, said that the ministry has in place systems whereby prominent Guyanese residing abroad can visit Guyana during Mashramani and participate in the national Mashramani Exhibition.  Last year, Dr. Vibert Cambridge visited and did a lecture which addressed musical development in Guyana.  For 2012, it is anticipated that Professor John Rickford will be the special guest.
Such presentations will be documented and distributed locally to benefit Guyanese.
Among the distinguished gathering at the launch of Mashramani 2012 were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; members of the diplomatic corps, some ministers of government, and designers of costume bands, among others.