THE town of Anna Regina came alive Friday afternoon when the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Mash Committee officially launched Mashramani with a cultural programme at the Anna Regina Car Park.

The programme was held after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and featured cultural items such as dances, songs, live steel pan, and calypso music.

Chairperson of Region Two, Vilma De Silva, in her remarks said that this year’s celebrations will be held under the theme, “Mixing and Mashing as One Guyana”.

She said this year’s activities in the region will be bigger and better, but urged everyone to celebrate with caution, given that the pandemic is still raging.

“We have done remarkable work since we took office; we have seen tremendous changes, and every sector has changed. We developed this region together.” De Silva said.

On Friday morning, the committee hosted an Inter-Faith service before the actual launch of the event.

The service was held in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), and featured prayers and songs from the three main religions, namely Pandit Ravin Nateram of the Hindu community, Imam Baksh of the Islamic community, and Pastor Trenton Parris of the Christian community.

Regional Executive Officer, Susannah Saywack informed the gathering that as part of the region’s calendar of events for the celebration, this year, of Guyana’s 53rd anniversary as a republic, a day of sports for persons with disabilities will be held, in addition to storytelling in schools, a nature walk, cultural extravaganza, decorative building and school gardening; day of cleaning and cooking, and the ceremonious flag-raising ceremony.

The Education Department will be hosting a Dramatic Poetry, Dance, Masquerade, and Costume competition, while the Children Regional Road Parade will be held on February 21, and the Grand Road Parade on February 23.