By Lisa Hamilton

IN recognition of their preservation and promotion of Guyanese culture and heritage, nine Guyanese and one organisation were awarded by Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) of New York at its annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday.

Due to the pandemic, the event was held virtually and scores of Guyanese locally and abroad tuned in to show their support. In opening remarks, President of the Guyana Cultural Association, Dr. Vibert Cambridge, said that the year is a special one as the GCA celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Dr. Cambridge noted that those nominated and selected as winners are well-deserved for their scope of impact and originality even amid many challenges.

“Despite the tough and exhausting times, all around us are examples of courage, selflessness and innovation which encourage, prepare and re-energise us for the long haul. We offer this evening’s recognitions and celebrations of achievements as an example of this courage, selflessness and innovation,” he said.

Meanwhile, chairperson of the GCA Awards Committee, Ron Lammy, hailed the Guyanese recognised for evoking much pride in Guyanese patronage through education, creativity and humanitarian efforts.

Also making remarks was the Consul General of Guyana to New York, Barbara Atherly. She said that the well-deserving Guyanese have substantially contributed to the fabric of Guyanese culture and will serve as encouragement to those at home and in the diaspora.

In the presentation of awards, each winner was preceded by a synopsis of their achievements followed by their brief response of gratitude to those who saw it fit to reward them.

Winning the Godfrey Chin Award for Heritage Journalism in first place was environmentalist and founder of Reel Guyana, Alex Arjoon. He was followed by author, Dr. Pauline Felicia Baird in second place for her ‘Wah Dih Story Seh’ series, and creator of the Facebook series, ‘Awe Story Got Melody’, Dion Glasgow-Douglas, in third place.

The award is inspired by Guyanese social history icon, Godfrey Chin for his untiring efforts to study and celebrate Guyana’s rich cultural heritage and creativity. The prize was established in 2011 to encourage and to reward creatives whose works promote understanding and appreciation of the diverse strands of Guyanese heritage.

Meanwhile, there were eight winners of the 2020 GCA Awards which celebrates Guyanese heritage and achievement. Through their accomplishments, the award recipients have demonstrated the best of Guyanese leadership and creativity through sharing their talent, creativity and expertise.

The awards are separated into three groups. Those winning the 2020 GCA Awards for Youth were Guyanese Broadway performer involved in the Lion King, Joziyah Jean-Felix, and dance performer, Melissa Angelina Young.

Winning in the 2020 GCA Awards for Honorees were researcher, Dr. Juliet Emanuel (Lifetime Achievement Award); Chief Executive Officer and Director of Sortex Mining Inc., Belinda Viola Charlie (Exemplary Award); Deskan Restoring Hope Through Compassion Inc. (Exemplary Award); accomplished producer and dancer, Launce Northe (Association Award); and Founder and Director of Enigma Entertainment, Lyn Ann Medford Ronnkvist (Association Award).

The GCA was established to document, showcase and celebrate the multiple roots of Guyana’s cultural heritage. Through its work it preserves Guyana’s cultural heritage and makes it available through various channels to inspire future generations of Guyanese.