By Francis Quamina Farrier

TODAY, May 26 2024, Guyanese, both at home and abroad, celebrate the 58th Independence Anniversary of their country with patriotic pride and joy. The term, “Bigger and Better”, which Guyanese tend to state ever so often in promoting events, is times not as accurate a description of each event, either annual or otherwise recurring.

Such events produced by Guyanese are not always “bigger and better”, as often stated by the promoters. However, some events grow either slowly or swiftly over time and become better due to genuine efforts by those involved. For example, there are annual events like the Bartica Easter Regatta and the Rupununi Rodeo, which have been ongoing for many decades. Those two events were held over a lengthy period during the colonial era well before independence. These two annual events have attracted many tourists from the coastland and overseas. Because these two popular events eclipse each other, they do not get quite the number of those who would like to attend both events if they were not happening simultaneously. Only those with deep pockets can easily meet the cost of flying from the coast to both Bartica and Lethem over the Easter weekend, to enjoy the Regatta and the Rodeo.

While I have attended both events over the years, attending both in any given year has never been a regular thing. It was generally one or the other. On many occasions, my attendance at those events was in my journalist capacity, and I really like the challenge such national sporting projects demand of Georgetown-based journalists. It is really never easy and demands lots of dedication and grit. Careful planning, including such basic things as packing the right clothing, is crucial if you want to make your stay at Lethem and the surrounding communities pleasant.

For example, wearing light clothing which covers as much of your body as possible is always a good idea. However, if you are the kind of person who does not like wearing garments with long sleeves, or if you prefer wearing short pants which leave your legs exposed, then you will do well for your comfort and well-being by taking along an insect repellant to rub on your arms and legs, and any other exposed parts of your body. That is necessary as a shield against the dreaded cabowra flies since the bites of those little flying devils can make your stay in the Rupununi at Easter time sheer hell. Tradition has it that those flies usually go after “fresh blood”- people who are new to the area.

While being physically and mentally challenging, as a journalist who likes to bring those activities which occur far from the bulk of the population on the coastland, I have always enjoyed covering those two hinterland-located events – the Rodeo and the Regatta – for television viewers on the coastland. One of the principal reasons was that the majority of Guyanese who reside on the coastland do not travel regularly into the hinterland. Many have never even gone further south of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timehri. That is not so because there is no interest in seeing more of our beautiful Guyana, but as many coast-landers say, the cost factor is generally prohibitive. Many also say that a trip to Trinidad, Barbados and other Caribbean destinations costs the same. It is usually said in such a way that is intended to mean; “Why spend the same money to go to a local destination rather than abroad!” It is a mindset, and there is precious little which can be done to change it.

There are, of course, those who bring the action, so to speak, to those who cannot get to the action. Television news reporters and photojournalists fill the void admirably. Professional Guyanese photojournalist, Rex Lucas, who is based in Maryland in the USA, has been producing some of the most interesting photographs of Guyana and the diaspora over the years. His visits to his homeland are usually most ‘photo-active’. Lucas returns with eyes that see what the rest of the nation usually takes for granted, making them fresh and relevant. His eyes and mind are that of a true professional and patriotic Guyanese photojournalist.

Wherever and whenever there is an event held by the Embassy of Guyana in Washington, D.C, in America or other Guyanese-promoted events in the diaspora, and is in his reach, Rex Lucas is there to take photographs and record aspects of them for posterity. His dedication is well-known by many of his fellow Guyanese. One of the events that he covers in Washington DC is the Guyana Expo, which is part of the annual itinerary of the Embassy of Guyana in the capital of the United States. While this event has always been well-attended in past years, it was well-attended this year and could be aptly stated as “bigger and better.” Those who work so hard and with such dedication behind the scenes to make this and other national events successful must be appreciated, even ‘bigger and better.’