Dear Editor,
GUYANESE spent almost two years indoors or rather housed-up, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as children had to trade physical classes, libraries and recreational activities for virtual sessions, and adults could not have even entered their place of worship.

Every holiday, including two of the most prominent in the country, Easter and Christmas were spent mostly indoors during this period, with a small family circle. This has taken a mental and physical toll on our society with the restrictions imposed by the government to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

But it is finally over, and the Macedonia-Joppa Volunteer Committee (MJVC) is gearing up to add to the plethora of activities that encourage persons to return to physical settings. The group is sponsoring the largest Emancipation Day celebrations ever on the Corentyne, Region Six.

Members of the MJVC have invited all the residents of the villages in Macedonia-Joppa District to grab at this glorious opportunity and celebrate Emancipation in the most extravagant way possible. They have chosen the theme “UPLIFTMENT” for this year’s celebrations to commemorate the abolition of slavery in Guyana in 1834 and to mark 188 years of Emancipation.

In Guyana, August 1, 1994, Emancipation Day was declared a national holiday for the first time and has since grown into a major national festival, where thousands of people participate in various activities. Emancipation Day celebrations in the Macedonia-Joppa District will be an all-day-long event at the Eversham Community Pavilion.

The day of activities will kick off at 6:30 hours with a mile-long road race comprised of two categories–male and female. The male category race will start from Macedonia (No. 35 Village) and end at the Eversham Community Pavilion and the female category will begin from the No. 43 Village and end at the pavilion as well.

Monetary prizes will be awarded to the participants in the following order for both categories: The winners of each race will receive $20,000, the second place runners will each receive $15,000, and the third and fourth place runners will each receive $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. There are approximately two dozen individuals who have already registered for both categories of the race. It is expected to be a very competitive event.

At 10:00 hours, there will be a road march with African drums and traditional calypso music for the villagers including children to revel in. The road march will commence from the No. 35 Village and wind its way to No. 43 Village and then to the Eversham Community Pavilion. After which there will be a flag raising ceremony, followed by the singing of the “National Anthem” and “Arise Guyana.” (See ballad below).

At 12:30 hours, lunch will be served to the attendees. This will be followed by a cultural programme which will inform the people, especially youths about the birth of Emancipation Day, a brief account of slavery and its abolishment, and the history of the various villages in the community and their progress thus far. After, there will be a cultural display of African attire by children, men, and women of the community.

There will also be a display of delicious African dishes (metemgee, foo-foo) and drinks (mauby). For the activities, villagers will be decked out in African attire, traditional folk and African songs played, various exhibits of African cultural customs, folk games to take part in, African crafts and artwork on display, singing, dancing (masquerade), and drumming (African Drums), to enjoy the activities.

All members of the community will participate, regardless of age, race, creed, gender, or political affiliation. It is expected to be the largest event in Corentyne. So, being in the Macedonia-Joppa district for Emancipation Day will expose one to a diverse culture that is not quite like any other found in the country. It will be a major turning point in the district’s history as the Macedonia-Joppa Volunteer Committee plan to make Emancipation Day celebrations an annual event.

Respectfully,
Nickel Ross-Albert
MJVC-Public Relations Director