GUYANESE are breathing again. Some might frown on the uptick of a “party culture” in Guyana, but maintaining that position means ignoring a key value of cultural events that give the population a pressure valve to release the stresses of everyday life and allows them the chance to live in the revel.

The sense of renewal felt by Guyanese is undeniable. The country has more of an appreciation of the time they have for leisure activities and family time especially because of the magnitude of restrictions and control the world experienced as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown measures. “We outside” is an unforgettable battle cry of sorts.

Aside from the social value of public investment in culture, there’s an economic value in giving the culture industry the fiscal breath it needs to revive and expand. The Guyana Carnival brand is one that emerged under interesting circumstances, and most can agree that the events this year, after a two-year hiatus, were well worth the wait. Although largely a private-led venture, the Government of Guyana’s presence this year, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, represents a commitment to a revival of every sector post-pandemic in an economy that diversifies instead of depending solely on oil and gas values.

There have been cries in the past for increased investment in the culture sector. At the same time, some naysayers also believe culture and the arts have no large impact on the country’s overall economy. Quite the contrary, there is value in preserving and showcasing the material and non-material cultures that form the social fabric of Guyana brought here from all around the world.

The idea of “One Guyana” is underpinned not only by the solidarity grown between and among peoples through the idea of nationhood and citizenship, but also through a sharing of experience and culture, both material and non-material, not only among Guyanese but between Guyana and the rest of the world. Culture is a formidable export and there are examples in the Caribbean where this is true.

Only recently, the country gasped in awe at the work of star Guyanese designer, Keisha Edwards who, through support from a Culture Ministry grant, pulled off a major fashion show uniquely infusing Guyana’s diverse folklore with climate-appropriate designs. The scale and magnitude of the cultural sector have grown to new heights. The imagination with it.

But even aside from fashion shows and carnival events, Guyanese flocked to open spaces during the Easter weekend to revive a long-standing tradition of kite-flying and family fun. From Linden’s Bayrock Track and Sport Field to Georgetown’s Botanical Gardens, the family blankets and picnics reigned supreme. For “pandemic toddlers” who were rarely exposed to large gatherings and open green spaces, this season has been a new life experience for them, if only they recall the memory in their later years.

Envisioning a new, different, post-pandemic Guyana means embracing many of the things we recognised we needed, but still did not include in our top list of priorities. This time, we got it right. Culture has value. Guyanese culture is valuable. Although the circumstance of how we got here as people is quite forlorn for reasons this editorial space is bereft of space to explore in any singular go, we are all here to live, breathe, share, and revel in these shining moments.