– children excited to participate

AS Guyana prepares to celebrate 53 years as an independent nation, the government is pushing for youth involvement in this historic occasion.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, had announced that this year, 5,000 students from across the country will be participating in all the activities for the grand extravaganza on May 26 at D’Urban Park.

Special Projects Officer, Major (ret’d), Hubert Meusa, told the Guyana Chronicle that the rehearsals for the children were going on in the respective regions for the past month. However, the grand rehearsal where all the students came together in Georgetown, commenced on May 20 and ends on Sunday.

He said 500 students will be performing in the choir, 1,500 in the kathak dance presentation, 1,500 for the cultural presentations and 2,500 in the parade.
When this newspaper visited the rehearsal venue, the children expressed much excitement for being able to participate in such a grand activity.

Nine-year-old Rhesa Langevine said she is really happy, knowing that she is representing her country through dance; however, she is a little afraid because of the large crowd that is anticipated. The little girl said the proud feeling in her heart will help her to overpower her nervousness.

“I love my country and this whole experience makes me happy,” Rhesa said.
Ske Dawson, 12, said she is putting a lot of time, energy and focus into her performance while plaiting the May pole, because she wants to always remember the important contribution she made to Guyana’s 2019 Independence celebration.
Rochelle Bynoe said she has been a dancer for quite a few years but to participate in Guyana’s Independence celebrations is a liberating feeling.

“Being able to do an art form which allows you to be free to express yourselves in ways that you would want, it kind of represents what we want to do as a country. And being a youth, it helps to inspire youths and other younger people to do art and things they love to do. I love the fact that the government is involving us and allowing us to participate and contribute to our nation’s activity,” Rochelle said.

The performance is themed “Beautiful Guyana” with emphasis on youth and their importance to national development, said coordinator, Linda Griffith.
Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain, noted that it is very important youths understand and appreciate Guyana’s culture and heritage.

Involving them so deeply in the celebration, she said, will enable a better understanding of Guyana’s culture as well as foster a spirit of patriotism.
The extravaganza commences at 10:00hrs today and will end in the youths raising the Golden Arrow Head.