THE Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) have again pledged their full support for the inaugural Rupununi Music and Arts Festival, slated to begin Friday at Annai under the theme, “In Rhythm with Nature”.

The three-day event carries its own uniqueness, since it will take place in a natural environment. Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr Indranauth Haralsingh, has indicated that the festival would be another signature event on the Tourism Calendar of Events, and it will also add to the existing events taking place in The Rupununi.

The main aim, however, is to establish The Rupununi as a brand, since it is already famous for its community-based tourism and wildlife, among other things.
Mr Haralsingh said: “The festival gives you a reason to leave your home to discover another part of Guyana, namely Annai,” and it is a good way to promote the “Re-discover Guyana” campaign being promoted by the Government in collaboration with the GTA.

Haralsingh said persons should keep in mind that the event entails camping, sleeping under the stars, eating indigenous foods, using eco toilets, and basically getting to be “at one with nature”.
There are international artistes coming from Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, England, Europe and the United States of America to perform at this festival. There is also the Surama group from Guyana, Buxton Voices and Tassa Rhythms, which will be participating.

Bob Ramdhanie, coordinator of the festival, explained that the present accommodation caters for only 16 persons, but he has been working collaboratively with Collin Edwards, owner of the Rock View Hotel, to construct a village consisting of benabs, outdoor showers and eco-toilets that would accommodate 150 persons. This venture will therefore create employment for the surrounding villages, because the aim is not to destroy nature but to complement it.
He also mentioned that the foods would be catered from the surrounding villages.

The festival will also give persons the opportunity to experience the different features of the Rupununi: the giant anthills, the canopy walkway, the butterfly project, some of the rapids, the Pakaraima foothills, the tropical rainforest and the local hospitality. Ramdhanie has also reminded that Guyana was named a must-see destination by the National Geographic Traveler for 2014.

Tickets for this event can be purchased from the GTA, Giftland or online. For more information about the festival, persons can contact the Guyana Tourism Authority or website www.rupununifestival.com.
Written By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally