EDUCATION Minister Nicolette Henry wants Mashramani managed in a way whereby Guyanese receive value for money and the local culture is preserved.
Henry, the chairperson of the newly formed Mashramani Central Planning Committee, was at the time speaking at the first meeting of the committee.
The committee is hoping that Mashramani 2018 will be the most successful and the most memorable.
The Ministry of Education Department of Culture Youth and Sport has wrapped up the organising aspects for a 70-strong contingent to represent Guyana at CARIFESTA XIII in Barbados.

And planning for a more improved hosting of Mashramani 2018 festival has commenced.
National Events Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Godfrey Bess and Permanent Secretary Melissa Tucker were also present at the meeting, where a proposed plan that may form the content of an enhanced Mashramani/ Republic celebrations for 2018 was presented.
It was agreed by those present that the road to an early launch of the road map and schedule of events must begin soonest.
As such, the first order of business is the selection of an appropriate theme to encompass all the activities. It was agreed that by July 31, 2017, there should be a collection of submitted theme ideas from the public that would fashion a direction under which all activities will be hosted.

Minister Henry as chair, stressed the need for continuous planning and commitment to the tasks at hand to make Mashramani a grand affair.
Dates for events would be revised, including the launch of the theme as well as all activities. A regional briefing is planned to take place soonest for issuing of directives to all regional points of contact.
As regards the route, Minister Henry noted that Mashramani is a Guyanese activity and given that a list of possible options is available to her, it would be left up to the new committee to make a selection for possible consideration.
The minister noted too that the committee’s decision would be taken to Cabinet and Cabinet will make the final decision on the most appropriate route to be used for the float parade that will end at the D’urban Park venue.

TRANSPARENCY
While the Government’s budget for the Mashramani 2018 national activities will be decided on after submissions are made, Minister Henry stressed the need for transparency in all dealings by those involved at the Central Committee level.
Some of the issues addressed included options of consideration(s) of judges’ rotation, as well as the venue selections for all competitions.
There could be some amount of reworking for the Chutney Monarch competition for more inclusion at the organising level.
Minister Henry proposed that efforts will be made to engage Ansa McAl and other corporate citizens for the reintroduction of the Soca Monarch competition in 2018. There were much discussions about steelbands for concerts nationwide, as an addition to the Republic Bank-sponsored competitions.
The government is the main contributor to Mashramani being a success, but efforts are to be made to improve private sector involvement in all areas.
It was noted, however, that persons need to understand, that concessions cannot be given just because they want it as tax-collection is the main means through which Government generates needed finances for development.
The minister also encouraged the need for a database to be created for designers.
The team has been tasked with creating a plan, whereby benefits are across the board and the idea of development of a festival village in a standardised fashion that is economically viable, is also up for consideration.
Acting Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain, during her grand power point presentation noted that as a priority, in a matter of days, convenors would be named who will be tasked with managing and overseeing the successful staging of national events.
These include junior and adult calypso as well as Soca Monarch competitions.
Chutney as well as Indian Dance Competitions are also on the cards as well as regional steelband concerts.

The latter would be part of the equation for the annual Republic Bank Panorama.
Further, Masquerade may be given a makeover to ensure greater participation and public support, while a Literary Street Fair that encompasses Visual Arts is scheduled.
While there are many activities that will form part of the Mashramani Calendar of events, much emphasis is to be placed on enhancing the costume and float parade through public and private support.
Ministries will be working to generate more private sector participation.
As opposed to the regular Bright up Guyana component, the option of promoting a clean and bright up Guyana initiative has been mooted.
The plans may more than likely also see the staging of a Republic Lecture series, a Child Art and Essay Competition and a Mega Family Fun day.
The team also agreed that Mashramani is not Carnival and should never be seen or promoted in such a light.