GTT, one of the key sponsors of the Guyana Jubilee Festival, on Friday made a significant donation of $1M towards the event.The presentation was made to Telecommunications and Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes by GTT’s Marketing Director Daniel Jilesen following a press conference at Colgrain House, Camp Street.

Witnessing the presentation was GTT’s Public Relations Officer Allison Parker.

The minister, in an elated mood, declared: “We are really excited because the Guyana Jubilee Festival, as you know, is moving ahead and has kicked off. So this morning we are excited, and it is my pleasure to say that one of our key sponsors – GTT — has come onboard with a sponsorship cheque for $1M towards our festival.”

The Guyana Jubilee Festival in observance of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary was launched on March 22 at Colgrain House.

Meanwhile, in her brief remarks, Parker said GTT was proud to be able to sponsor the Jubilee Festival, in particular the Fashion Extravaganza. She recalled that GTT had been an integral part of every major national event over the past 25 years since its entry into the Guyana market.

MEGA CONCERT
“We were the sole sponsor of the 40th Independence Anniversary signature promotion – the “All in One Show” at the National Cultural Centre. Our involvement with the Jubilee Celebration is not limited to the Jubilee Fashion Extravaganza. We have been a part of GUYEXPO. We have done major sponsorship of that event. We will also have a Mega Concert at the National Stadium on May 26.

Noting that GTT continues to demonstrate its understanding of its corporate social responsibility, Parker said it is reflected in GTT’s presence across all sectors and communities of Guyana. She said GTT has much to offer at all of the above-named Jubilee events, and is encouraging all Guyanese to come out in their numbers to every activity in observance of our 50th Anniversary of Independence.

FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA
According to the minister, the Jubilee Festival is an explosion of music, art, dance and fashion with the potential for income-generating opportunities — a very important segment of the fashion industry.
Giving a sneak peek into what’s in store, Minister Hughes said: “The Fashion Extravaganza will be a series of fashion shows every afternoon from 4:30pm to approximately 8:00pm.” She said the “Fashion Segment actually provides an opportunity for over 22 Guyanese fashion designers to present to the Guyanese public — and to diaspora visitors and everyone who is going to be here between the 19th and 22nd May — to really see the high standard at which our fashion industry has developed.”

There will also be activities on the lawns of Colgrain House, giving the Guyana Fashion Council and the designers an opportunity to display some of their pieces that could possibly be available for sale. So the potential for income-generating opportunities — a very important segment of our fashion industry — is there, Minister Hughes noted.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the festival have engaged the support of the Guyana Fashion Council to make sure that all the fashion designers of all ages -– of all genres of fashion — have the opportunity to present a minimum of 10 to 15 pieces of their work at the Fashion Extravaganza.

There will also be the opportunity to view the works of most of the members of the Fashion Council and all the popular designers that Guyanese would have become accustomed to.

There are four themed evenings, beginning Thursday, with the first being an Evening of Spiritual Upliftment. This occasion will present an opportunity for gospel singers and spiritual musicians with a range of uplifting music to showcase their talents.

On Friday, May 20th, Sonia Noel will be launching her Guyana Fashion Week, and will have on display and for sale a wide range of exquisite and exclusive designs.

The Friday evening is dubbed “Anything Guyanese”, and presents a lovely melting pot of folk and indigenous music, as well as music that represents Guyana’s Hindu and Muslim cultures and other religions.

On Saturday, 21st, there will be popular artists, including Dereck Moore, Olympia Sutherland, Pamela Fox, Roger Gary, Pat Coates, Michelle Cole, Andrea Braitwaite, Marcia Dos Santos, Sharon Freites and a range of other local fashion designers.

LEGENDS
In the evening, the festival will be celebrating Guyana’s legends, at which the older musicians from ‘way back when’ will be recognized. Those include Keith Waithe, Dave Martins and the Trade Winds and a number of other popular musicians.

The curtain comes down on Sunday with the Next Generation Concert, featuring celebrated young artistes such as Jomo, Lisa Punch and Adrian Dutchin.

The organisers are promising four days filled with rich Guyanese culture, food, arts and craft, the performing arts, fashion, music and more. (Shirley Thomas)