One of the most fulfilling feeling for me, is seeing my country portrayed tastefully on an international stage, and this week, Guyana’s representation at Expo2021 in Dubai did not disappoint.

On Tuesday, as the event hosted its ‘Guyana Day’ celebrations, many Guyanese at home and in other parts of the world had their eyes glued to their computers, cellphones and other gadgets to watch a well-dressed team of Guyanese creatives perform their hearts out, giving the royals of Dubai, a mere glimpse of what Guyana has to offer.

I too was tuned into the performance that painted social media in the colours of the Golden Arrow Head, and even though I watched the events of the Expo unfold from a desktop screen, it was as if I was seated front and centre of the UAE stage; I was in awe and my heart was flooded with pride.

The show began with a rousing performance from Gavin Aaron Mendonca, the creole rockstar himself; he skilfully captured the essence of our beloved country with a short melody, accompanied by a series of interpretive dances.

Just as I was about to get lost in Mendonca’s rendition of ‘Oh Beautiful Guyana’, the voice of a spoken word poet, Christina Daniela permeated the speakers of my earbuds. Her words were elegantly put, and her dress, my oh my, her dress left me wide-eyed. The gown was infused with everything Guyanese, only solidifying her flattering words about Guyana. Admittedly, I did find myself wondering how much the dress weighed, and whether I might have been able to carry it, but those wonders were short-lived as I became drawn to Daniela’s poem which, through each stanza, painted an even more vivid picture of the paradise that we call home.

Up next was well-known recording artiste, Poonam Singh who performed her hit single G.U.Y.A.N.A., which only sought to emphasise the words spoken by the previous performer. Singh’s performance was backed by dancers of the National Dance Company; it was one that I will continue to hold dear to my heart. Her soothing voice reciting our National Motto: ‘One people, One Nation, One Destiny’ and describing the wonders that many are yet to see, reminded me of the beautiful places in Guyana that I have been so fortunate to visit.

The lyrics took me back to the trips I took cruising atop the mighty Essequibo River, or flying over the thick, lush trees of the interior regions and the feeling of being kissed with the ever-sweet coastland breeze.

At the drop of a hat, the next performer, the renowned Samuel Medas, came on stage like a dose of nostalgia, transporting me to the pre-COVID-19 days of revelling through the streets of Georgetown, celebrating Mashramani. His stage time gave me flashbacks of a younger and fitter me gyrating behind a music truck on ‘Mash Day’.

Medas was later joined by Poonam Singh and another beautiful Guyanese singer/songwriter, Tennicia Nekeita, who had been showcasing her dancing talents throughout the show. Even her presence behind the lead performers dominated attention; I was unable to keep my eyes off of her. She then lent her voice to the show, and together with Medas and Singh, the trio delivered a performance that warmed our hearts even more.

As the final song came to an end, all of the performers returned to the stage for the big reveal of speed painter, Winston Alexander’s work. Throughout the performances, he was in the background working on a mesmerising painting of the Golden Arrow Head, coupled with a Map of Guyana. It was sheer brilliance, and I am still amazed; in less than 20 minutes, he painted a replica of the country’s flag, containing sceneries of trees, mountains and even the infamous Kaieteur Falls.

For the first time in a long time, I was at a loss for words to describe the love and patriotism that I felt from just watching the Dubai 2020 Expo. I can only image what it must have been like to witness it all first-hand. I can’t wait to see that more Guyanese creatives have to share with us and the rest of the world.