-as Calendar of events unveiled an explosion of cultural celebrations

UNDER the theme, “Expressing our Culture and Creativity as One Guyana”, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport has officially launched Mashramani (Mash) 2025.
Mash 2025 will be celebrated on February 23, 2025 and already has several key events on its calendar.
This year’s calendar will see the Calypso Monarch competition slated for February 14, 2025 in Moruca, Region One; the Soca Monarch on February 15, 2025 in Linden, Region Ten; and the Dancehall Monarch on February 16, 2025, in Georgetown, at the Kitty Seawall.
Additionally, the Chutney Monarch will be held on February 22, 2025 at the Classic Hotel Parking Lot in Region Six, along with the annual Flag Raising Ceremony, also on February 22, 2025 at Public Buildings (Parliament Building) in Georgetown.
These are just a few of the events on the calendar released by the Ministry, with more events to follow such as the Children’s Mash competition which is held across the country.
At a press briefing held earlier this week, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, said that Mash 2025 is set to be bigger than it has ever been with more excitement for all.
The Minister told reporters that for the first time the ministry has commenced preparations with designers for the float parade and funding has been secured. Such will allow designers to go into different Ministries with their proposals.
“There are lots of people who are looking forward to that information both in Guyana and outside of Guyana, and we want to release this now so that they can start preparing, including booking their flights too,”
Meanwhile, Director of National Events, Andrew Tyndall who was also present at the launch mentioned that several pop-up concerts are in the lineup for Mash 2025. This he said, is an effort to provide persons who participate in the song competitions with an opportunity to put their music out there for the public to hear, and to interact with communities.
The Director announced that the deadline for submission of music for these competitions is December 31, 2024, with no extensions. The link to submit these songs will be found on the Ministry’s Facebook page from December 02, 2024.
He encouraged all persons who are a part of the performing arts, who are singers, or are interested in either calypso, soca or chutney music to enter the competitions, and release their music.