Early morning heavy downpour did not stop revellers from pouring out in their numbers as they converged in unity to celebrate Guyana’s 47th Republic Anniversary at D’Urban Park.
It was a colourful spectacle, and according to President David Granger, the beautifully decorated floats send a message which resonates with the population. “We’re very pleased about the floats; most of the floats are governmental but they have a message and that message resonates with our population. It’s a green message; it’s about production; it’s about people coming together,” he said.
While the celebrations was in full swing at the D’Urban Park, the other administrative regions also had their own celebrations, and the President said this is much in keeping with the Government’s policy to have capital towns in every region.
Recently, Bartica, Lethem and Mabaruma were made towns, and the President announced that in years to come, it is the hope that every town will celebrate Mashramani as the single most significant festival for Guyanese.
The Head of State was accompanied by First Lady Sandra Granger. Several Government ministers joined with band revellers from their respective ministries, while others took in the spectacle along with the spectators, who braved the weather.

President Granger said that even though Guyana gained Independence on May 26, 1966, becoming a Republic in 1970 represented the final break from Britain.

He said this was an important part of the nation’s identity, as the country was able to elect its own President, established its own Appellate Court and its own system of honours.

“Mashramani for many Guyanese is more important than Independence. This is a festival, which is appreciated by all Guyanese,” the Ministry of the Presidency in a release quoted him as saying.

In a statement earlier, Mr Granger said the 47th anniversary of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is a happy occasion to celebrate the uniqueness of the country’s nationhood.
“The achievement of Independence on 26th May, 1966, gave us the opportunity to remember that the majority of our fore-parents were brought to these shores, either as enslaved workers or indentured labourers, to toil on the plantations.
“Independence reminded us, also, that it was their struggles – their resistance, revolts and riots on the plantations – which helped to make their descendants a free people and to make this country a free state,” he said.
Inclement weather also failed to put a damper on the flag-raising ceremony at the same venue Wednesday night.
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, in his republic day message said Guyana’s republican status has given the country an identity and a national personality.
He said as Guyanese republicans, citizens became equal with all other national identities in the world, and today Guyanese of different ethnicities are proudly living side by side in a “stable democracy.”
“We enjoy more than ever before, freedom of speech and the right to open dissent. We are not aliens or refugees or illegal migrants. We are free, independent and proud Guyanese citizens. We no longer owe allegiance to any monarch or foreign flags. Our country, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is our common home, our motherland,” the prime minister said.
Looking ahead, Mr Nagamootoo said, “A bright new horizon lies ahead. So as we celebrate, we must not lose sight of our golden future as a united Guyanese people.”