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Among the spectators were His Excellency President Donald Ramotar; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony; and other ministers of the government; members of the diplomatic corps and other special invitees; Heads of the disciplined services, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Commodore Gary Best; Commissioner of Police, Leroy Brummell; Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine; and Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle.
Guyana’s rich culture was evident from the creative performances in music, dance and poetry that were variously served the audience by the Nrityageet Dance Troupe; the X-Factor Dancers; Bibi Halima Khan, who performed an Indian chutney medley; and by the National School of Music.
Displays in physical fitness by recruits of the Felix Austin Police Academy formed the ice breaker before the first entrance of the military Guard of Honour.
In keeping with the theme of the 47th Independence Anniversary, “Guyanese womanhood and the struggle for development”, the Guard of Honour was under command of Guyana Defence Force Woman Major Lorriane Foster, with seven officers and 129 other ranks coming from both the police and the GDF. The colour party was also under command of Woman Lieutenant Peters and 2nd Lieutenant Stacy Cadogan.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport’s display saw another large contingent of some 490 males and females performing traditional Indian and African dances that embraced a fusion of regular and popular folk and other songs.
A number of national songs were performed by the National School of Music Choir, and the National Steel Orchestra brought the curtains down on the cultural evening before the second entrance of the Guard of Honour.
Both His Excellency the President and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds took salutes from the Guard of Honour. After the President had been introduced by Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, he made his address to the nation.
