MASHRAMANI 2015 plans are moving along smoothly as the day draws near, with the Children’s Costume Parade slated for tomorrow. 

All events are being held under this year’s theme, “One People, One Culture, One Celebration”.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport last year put a different twist on things as they introduced a commemorative intelligence section to the usual social aspect of the celebrations.
Mashramani, often abbreviated to “Mash”, celebrates Guyana’s becoming a Republic in 1970. The festival includes a parade, music, games and cooking, and is intended to commemorate Guyana’s attainment of Republican status.
With the response to this segment being overwhelming, the ministry is yet again hosting a Mashramani Republic Lecture which is set for February 17 at the National Library in Georgetown and there is also an ongoing ‘Mash’ Exhibition at the National Museum that will conclude on March 6.

Mash Secretariat Coordinator, Lennox Canterbury, in an interview with this publication, pointed out that the committee was lauded for last year’s initiatives, and since there are a few aspects of Guyana’s history going into extinction, it was decided to continue the commemorative intelligence section to revive our history and educate the public.
According to the Coordinator of the Mash Secretariat, “so far the committee has successfully completed the Junior Calypso competition, Chutney competition and the finals of the Carib Soca Monarch competition is set for tomorrow. All steel pan competitions have been completed; only the steel pan concerts that will be in Linden and Parika are outstanding.”
FLAG-RAISING IN ALL REGIONS
He also said all regions would have a flag-raising ceremony to commemorate the day’s activities, and cultural programmes would enhance our knowledge of “Mash”.
Meanwhile, he encouraged persons to come out and support the Children’s Costume Parade tomorrow. “This parade starts at the Parade Ground on Middle Street, and traverses the road into Camp Street, then into Lamaha Street, left into Albert Street and proceeds to the National Park for judging.”
Mashramani is a time when the oneness of the people of Guyana is distinctly on showcase as we celebrate our successes as a nation. This is also the time when our creativity is most ingenuously highlighted and it’s the effort of the committee to enhance those skills and talents to their optimum, in order to preserve Guyana’s rich history.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)