THIS year’s focus for Guyana’s 52nd Independence anniversary celebrations’ formal ceremony will be on youth, and as such, the flag-raising will take place at D’Urban Park during the day. It is expected that more than 4,000 children will be participating.

This disclosure was made at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon which was hosted by the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Social Cohesion Minister Dr. George Norton and a panel of corporate sponsors and featured performers.

In giving a general overview of the activities, Dr Norton said Guyana will celebrate its 52nd Independence anniversary on Saturday, May 26, 2018 hence the Government will host the annual flag-raising ceremony on Friday, May 25, 2018 at D’Urban Park.

This year’s ceremony will have a special focus on youth with the emphasis of developing a strong national pride, patriotism and appreciation for the strides Guyana has made since gaining its Independence.

The minister added that the ceremony will feature a grand cultural display depicting Guyana’s national patrimony and our development for the past 52 years while, highlighting Guyana as an emerging green state.

Dr Norton told the press conference that more than 2,000 children drawn from a wide cross-section of primary and secondary schools will participate in the cultural display. In addition, there will be a parade comprising the military, 1,500 youths from various organisations inclusive of the schools’ cadet corps, scouts, pathfinders and secondary school students.

Dr Norton noted that the ceremony will start at 14:00hrs and on the evening of May 25 the GDF will host a fireworks display to usher in our Independence. This will be prefaced by a two-hour musical presentation, the concert being dubbed the ‘Independence Flag Concert. ‘Celebrate Guyana’ will feature performances from Guyana’s leading artistes.

He stated that the government extends an invitation to all Guyanese to come out and be part of these celebrations as he acknowledged the support from Caribbean Airlines Limited, Banks DIH and ExxonMobil towards the hosting of these activities.

According to Administrator of the National School of Music, Department of Social Cohesion, Andrew Tyndall, this year’s Independence flag-raising will take place in the daylight hours to accommodate the large gathering of children who will be participating.

He noted that the hoisting of the flag will be done at about 15:00hrs at D’Urban Park and in the evening for the first time there will br an Independence flag concert, a concept which was developed by the Director of Culture.

Meanwhile, in highlighting the concept of the Independence flag concert, Director of Culture Tamika Boatswain told the press conference that the aim is to use music and the energy music can bring to celebrate Guyana.

She pointed out that they chose to utilise local artistes and bring them together on one stage in an effort to garner more local support for Guyanese music.

Boatswain said as such, this event is the beginning of a grand plan to support our local artistes and she hopes that more companies will come on board and lend support in a tangible way since music has a way of sending powerful messages.

Senior Marketing Manager at Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL), Alicia Cabrera said the company is pleased to be a part of the events for Guyana’s 52nd Independence celebrations. Last year CAL was presented with an award for contributions made to Guyana.

She added that the airline remains committed and focused on providing the diaspora with connectivity to Guyana on the country’s Independence and she pledged unwavering support to Guyana.

Speaking on behalf of ExxonMobil was Senior Director, Public & Government Affairs, Kimberly Brassington, whose entity willingly supported after learning that the focus was on youths this year. The company hopes to foster and grow as Guyana places more focus on its youth.

Some of the local artistes present were Michelle King called ‘Big Red’, Natural Black, Blaze Antonio, and gospel singer Sekou Andrews. They all expressed their delight in being a part of the Independence celebrations concert. Vanilla Roberts and Kwesi Ace, Bounty Singh and Jumo Primo are also expected to perform.