MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Irfaan Ali, has confirmed that Guyana-born, ABC ‘Rising Star’ contestant Lisa Punch will be joining the festivities as curtains raise on the much-anticipated inaugural Guyana Festival — Sound, Soul and Taste.

Punch, accredited as one of many Guyanese aiding in the placement of Guyana on the world map, was announced as a contestant on ABC’s first sing-off reality TV show as the vibrant voice of the small Caribbean nation.
Punch survived several weeks in the competition, viewed by millions of Americans, and has received social media endorsements from President Donald Ramotar, Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, and the likes of NBC media veteran Al Roker after her debut performance of Whitney Houston’s “How will I know”.

She was, however, knocked out of the quarter-final qualifying round after she failed to achieve placement in the top seven. The Guyanese star will, nonetheless, form part of the star-studded line-up for the planned festivities.

Guyana Festival, brainchild of Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, has fired the imagination of big business as well as big talent. As part of the action-packed proceedings, the Guyana Festival National Concert will be held this weekend at the National Stadium at Providence.

Minister Ali had disclosed, “The concert is the headline event in an exciting weekend of Guyana Festival celebrations, which will ensure that the National Stadium in Guyana is the place to be!”

He urges all Guyanese to participate in the event, and has indicated that the festival is already attracting tremendous support.

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 at the venue to indulge in the treats available, and to delight in the cultural atmosphere.

For the first time, the fusion of six cultures which make up the whole Guyanese experience will collide to form a cultural melting pot reflecting Guyanese diversity.

(By Derwayne Wills)