… amidst calls to take it countrywide in future

HUNDREDS of Guyanese turned out to the government’s second and largest Harmony Village cultural show and exhibition, where citizens were encouraged to co-exist in unity despite culture, religion or race.

The official opening took place on Thursday in the avenue on downtown Main Street between Quamina and Middle Streets.

It was attended by members of the government, diplomatic corps, religious community and private and public sectors. Guided by the theme, ‘Building Partnerships: Promoting Community and National Cohesion’, it was an initiative of the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport.

At the formal ceremony, Guyana’s ethnic groups took to the stage with a fusion of cultural presentations in dance, poetry, music, comedy and other forms of traditional displays.
Performances also came from Guyanese entertainers such as singer Jackie Jaxx; musician, Gavin Mendonça; the Guyana Karate College Shakties and Elle Gee Choral Speakers.
The exhibition proper, however, saw some 103 booths line the walkway supported by a total of 98 organisations offering food, clothing, artifacts, literature, craft, health services and other public need-to-know information.

There were also illustrations of local sport celebrities, some of whom were present at the event.
In his feature address, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton, said that the purpose of Harmony Village is to portray the diversity of Guyanese people and culture existing together in unity.

He said that in such a society, the average Guyanese experiences different perspectives and ways of life which can help to prevent narrowmindedness.
But in order to achieve true unity, he said, every race must learn to appreciate the differences amongst themselves, accepting each other despite religion, physical appearance or ethnicity.

“For us to become truly united as a people,” he said, “we must first be cognizant and fully comfortable of who we are as individuals; the key to us embracing diversity and promoting tolerance is to be proud of ourselves, our culture;
“…to be proud of our traditions, ethnicities, religions and all the things that make us who we are as individuals.”

Also making brief remarks at the opening ceremony were Permanent Secretary (ag) of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Ms Melissa Tucker and Programme Coordinator, Ms Sharon Patterson.

Both women spoke of Guyana’s advantages as a multi-cultural nation, and called on citizens to utilise the day learning about the cultures and beliefs of other races.
From the sidelines, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland told the Guyana Chronicle that in years to come he hopes to see the event being held in other parts of the country.

“What I was told is that last year it was elsewhere; it was in Berbice, and this year it is here,” Dr Scotland said.

“I think that is a way of showing ‘Yes it can!’ And, hopefully, it will! Because I don’t think that everything should be in Georgetown; people outside thirst to be a part of these things,” he added.

Declaring the village officially open, Dr Norton, joined by other government officials, led the crowd in a walk-through as he greeted the public and examined the colourful compartments on display.

Apart from the different government ministries, there were booths set up by the Guyana Defence Force, educational institutions, non-governmental organisations and several religious groups.