–at inaugural ‘Guianame’ Expo

THE University of Guyana (UG) proudly showcased the talent and creativity of its students at the inaugural Guianame Conference and Expo, held from September 25–27, 2025, at the AlphaMax Academy in Paramaribo, Suriname.

According to a press release from UG, the event, themed “Colours of Guianame – Exploring the Guianame Identity,” brought together artists, scholars, entrepreneurs, and cultural practitioners from Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana to celebrate shared heritage, promote regional collaboration, and strengthen cross-border cultural understanding.

At the forefront of UG’s participation were its students, whose performances and artistic contributions highlighted the richness and diversity of Guyanese culture; and students from The School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) who spoke about Guyana’s Rich Culture and History. UG’s students delivered a curated showcase of music, poetry, steel pan, dance, and sang songs.

Among them, Moses Williams performed music selections, Tirishatha Semple presented steel pan and musical performances, Rani Goberdhan shared original poetry, Safira Abrihim-Williams presented contemporary dance, and Marshall De Souza performed music pieces on guitar.

Staff members Michael Khan and Keon Heywood were also part of this showcase, while Khan also contributed to the visual arts exhibition, presenting children’s artwork from UG’s art courses at the exhibition with a thoughtful display exploring cultural identity and early childhood development in art.

Khan also featured traditional artefacts from UG’s Folk Museum collection, connecting contemporary artistic practice with Guyana’s folk heritage.

In addition to performing arts, UG’s visual arts students exhibited their works at Artsplash, an exhibition featuring over twenty creatives from Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Visual arts students Nathania Nedd and Marlyn Durga represented the University with compelling works that reflected both personal and social narratives.

Nathania’s collection included a still-life acrylic painting of ceramic vessels arranged in a traditional table setting, a gentle study of light and form. Her mixed-media piece, The Preservation of Wildlife, used biodegradable materials to portray Mother Nature protecting Amazonian animals, highlighting the urgency of environmental stewardship.

She also exhibited Water Nymph, a sculpted clay figure partially submerged, symbolising serenity and feminine strength, alongside expressive acrylic paintings such as Unnatural Phenomena, which explored alienation through shattered reflections, Disquiet, depicting mental unrest in the chaos of everyday life, and A Pearl, a poetic underwater composition symbolising hidden beauty and resilience.

Marlyn Durga’s exhibition, titled Threads of Radiance – Weaving Stories of Growth and Love, offered a deeply emotional and personal journey inspired by her son, who is on the autism spectrum. Through a series of acrylic paintings and textile art pieces, she portrayed the joys, challenges, and silent battles of motherhood.

Works such as The Chaos Within a Colourful World, Silent Screams: A World Too Loud, and Don’t Intrude: My World Is Just Me conveyed powerful imagery of sensory overload, emotional withdrawal, and the need for understanding.

Her piece No Fear: This Is Fun, illustrated her son’s fearlessness and curiosity, while Pieces of the Night, Full of Life captured the long, quiet hours of care through textured brushwork and vibrant colour. Through her art, Durga invited audiences to see beyond labels and stereotypes and embrace difference with compassion.

The University also contributed to the academic component of the conference through representatives of the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI), including lecturers Camille Ishmael and Kareem Brown, along with the Head of the Department of Marketing and Sustainable Tourism Management, Dr Coleen Patterson, accompanied by students Shemariah Smith, Shivelia Makhan, Omefa Gillis, Odacia Briggs, Lesha Singh, and Tianna Budhram.

Kareem Brown’s presentation focused the Guyana – Suriname Backtrack route, exploring how the route originated, and some of the advantages and disadvantages of this route.

He examined how the backtrack route has shaped social interactions at the border, particularly highlighting the increase in the number of persons using this route during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as policy and security implications related to unrecorded crossings.

Dr. Patterson, presented research which was conducted in collaboration with Brown, on the use of digital media by tour operators, demonstrating how online presence and strategic use of social media influence customer engagement.

Their findings highlighted the importance of customer reviews, consistent communication, and digital marketing strategies to connect tour suppliers and clients, with plans to expand the research across the other Guianas and provide training for operators to optimise results.

Editor at the University of Guyana Press, and published author, Makeda Braithwaite captivated audiences with readings from her Guyana Prize–winning collection.

She shared excerpts from her upcoming anthology Manuscript: Anthology of Shivers, a surrealist speculative work inspired by African and Caribbean storytelling traditions. Her reading from The Pastry Shop Round the Bend, published by FIYAH Literary Magazine, told a magical tale of a village unsettled by the arrival of a young witch, blending folklore with psychological depth. Makeda also presented poems from her powerful collection Go Fish: Go In De Pack, published by Bamboo Talk Press, touching on themes of desire, politics, colonial memory, and resistance.

Her Poems, titled R-R-R-R and Greens, demonstrated her lyrical voice and ability to fuse Guyanese Creole with literary craft.

A key feature of the event was the launch of the fifth edition of Inside Guianame magazine on September 25 at the National Archives of Suriname. The publication, reviewed by Al Creighton, Director of the Confucius Institute at UG, underscored the role of the magazine in fostering cross-border cultural understanding and exploring the shared identity of the Guianas.

During her keynote presentation at the conference, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, praised the event for its cultural and educational significance.

She highlighted the importance of supporting initiatives that bring together creativity, culture, and scholarship, noting that such gatherings provide valuable opportunities for collaboration, dialogue, and the promotion of regional identity.

Participants also enjoyed the Cuisine Delights exhibition on September 27, featuring Caribbean, Indian, Indonesian, and fusion dishes, followed by the Concert Extravaganza, where UG student performers joined regional artists in celebrating the rhythms and vibrancy of Guianame.

UG said its participation underscored its commitment to fostering cultural exchange, regional integration, and holistic student development, offering a platform for young Guyanese to showcase their talent and make meaningful contributions.