–for annual Independence Flag-raising Ceremony

THOUSANDS of Guyanese poured into the Jubilee Park on Friday for the grand flag-raising ceremony, parade and cultural celebration in observance of Guyana’s 52nd Independence Anniversary.

Setting the ceremony into motion was a parade of some 1,500 uniform-clad youths marching around the park in unified sequence to the beat of the vibrant drum corps.
Represented in the parade were members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the National Cadet Corps, Pathfinder and Masterguide clubs, scouts and students from secondary schools all across the country.

The stands of the park, almost filled to capacity, burst into cheers upon the arrival of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, Sita Nagamootoo.

Sounds of cheering grew even louder when this was followed by the arrival of the Head of State, President David Granger and First Lady, Sandra Granger.

The two couples sat in the large erected pavilion along with Government Ministers, members of the diplomatic community, international visitors and other special invited guests to watch the unfolding of the event.

And, as expected, those who turned out were not disappointed as a group of young dancers numbering some 2,000 engulfed the park in a well-planned presentation themed, ‘Celebrating our People and our Patrimony’.

Hundreds of the youngsters were outfitted in bright orange, pink and yellow flowers while others wore the dark green and brown camouflage colours of the forest.

Some were even costumed as animals such as Guyana’s national animal, the jaguar and other exotic birds of blue, red and grey as they mesmerised the gathering with their well choreographed movements.

These dancers were followed by groups of high-spirited teens who demonstrated the dances and cultures of the country’s six races of Amerindians, Africans, Indians, Europeans, Portuguese and Chinese.

Just before the country’s 65’x35? Golden Arrowhead was hoisted on the some 200ft flag pole, the parade of uniformed marchers once again set themselves into motion to stand at attention in place.

Then, to the 21–gun salute, the five-colour flag was slowly raised in the air as scores of children, parents and others in the audience watched on in awe and fascination.
Guiding the gathering in the singing of one of the country’s national songs, ‘Guyana the Free’, was the Police Military Band, MS, and a combined choir which ended their performance with the solemn singing of the National Anthem.

Today, Saturday May 26, 2018, Guyana proudly celebrates its 52nd Independence Anniversary celebrating once again its freedom from British rule first observed in the year 1966.