…a three-day celebration of its unique multi-ethnic cultural tapestry

YESTERDAY marked an historic event in the calendar of events in the Tourism Sector, as the inaugural Guyana Festival – Sound, Soul and Taste — was launched at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

For the very first time, the fusion of the six different cultures that make up the Guyanese social tapestry will be brought together, reflecting a true melting pot that reflects the Guyanese identity. This event is slated to take place at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, from August 8-10, 2014.
President Donald Ramotar, in his address at the launch, said, “I must congratulate the Minister and his team on this project. This is demonstrating to the world at large how beautiful it is to live in a multi- ethnic and multi-cultural society. Those who ruled us before tried to make us forget our traditions and culture; but the fact is that we have maintained our music, our dance and our food, and all this is testimony to the resilience of the Guyanese people”.
The ‘Sound, Soul and Taste’ of Guyana will be presented to the world through a spectacular display of art, craft, dance, drama, music and cuisine, and thousands are expected to converge on the venue to indulge in the treats available and to delight in the cultural atmosphere, President Ramotar stated.
Minister of Tourism, Industry & Commerce (ag), Irfaan Ali, said, “Six cultures fused together by the independence of one people, a powerful adventure blended with the unforgettable melting of each other’s heritage, glued together by a rich tradition, it is on these shores they rise, each with their own identity; but together produce an unmatched Guyanese culture and identity, this is what the Guyana Festival will reveal to the world”.
. “We want all of you here to be the ambassadors of the Guyana Festivals; and with this we are hoping to bring home thousands of Guyanese to celebrate with us this wonderful rich history and culture” Minister Ali said.
Those in attendance at the launch witnessed a clutch of cultural performances, including African drumming, tassa drumming, and dances from various ethnic groups.
The Guyana Festival covers three days and will feature our most celebrated legends in sport, art music, food, entertainment and much more.
There is also a Guyana Festival Passport, at a cost of US$15, that will be available to mark this event, as well as a festival coin that will be available at King’s Jewellery World in Georgetown.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)