-Festival of Colours showcases culture, unity, national pride

UNDER clouds of vibrant powder and the rhythm of chutney music, hundreds gathered at the National Stadium at Providence on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate Phagwah (Holi) 2026, a festival that continues to showcase Guyana’s spirit of unity, culture and national pride.

Phagwah 2026 kicked off at the National Stadium in Providence at 14:00hrs with hundreds of Guyanese arriving as the gates opened. The event featured live performances from some of the best local and international chutney musicians, including Vicadi Singh, Sonia Singh and Vanita Willie.

Groups such as the Shakti Strings Band also graced the stage, while Chowtal singing set the tone for the afternoon’s festivities. From families continuing long-standing traditions to visitors experiencing the festival for the first time, this year’s celebration was a colourful reminder of how deeply Phagwah or Holi is woven into Guyana’s identity.

Ajesh Poorooshatam and his family from the community of Diamond said that attending the Holi celebration at the National Stadium has been a tradition for almost a decade. As the young man said he and his entire family have been venturing to the stadium each year to celebrate the Festival of Colours.

While speaking to the Guyana Chronicle as the event climbed into full swing, he said, “The celebration right now is good. There are people coming out and playing. This is something I look forward to every year, sometimes I come with my parents, and now with the family. We have been coming out here for almost eight years.”

He added that for Guyanese, Phagwah is about more than just culture; it is also a time that fosters unity. “Phagwah is very important for Guyana. Today, everybody comes out, it does not matter about skin colour, this is just about unity.”

Many Guyanese living in the diaspora also used the event as a way of reconnecting with their culture, while introducing newcomers to the vibrant festival.

English Guyanese Jacob Eytle came back home to witness the Phagwah celebrations for the second consecutive year. Sharing what draws him to the event, he said, “I came here to the Phagwah celebrations last year with my sister and it was so much fun that I knew that I had to come back. So, this year when I was organising my trip, I knew I had to try and make it for Mash and Phagwah.”

While Jacob said his favourite part of the event is the friendly nature of Guyanese, English visitor Sydney Michaud said the colours are what she loves most.

“Guyana has been amazing. Everyone has been super welcoming, and it is really cool to see that so many different cultures come together,” she shared.
Sharing similar sentiments was the duo’s Guyanese friend, Andre Ramcharram. “Every year it gets better. Phagwah is very important to Guyana, it brings the villages together, brings people together. It is a good time to show our love for one another,” he said.

The holiday and the events have gained much support.

Guyanese Sharon Thompson shared that Holi and its festivities are a part of Guyanese identity and should be highlighted as such. “Phagwah really is a national holiday. It is a time when all the races come together as one Guyana, as one people, one nation, one destiny.”

Moreover, Thompson believes the festivities create a space for cultural expression and education. “We should do more culture for Phagwah, more artistes, more education on Indian culture. It would be better and people would better understand the event,” she said.

Guyanese are not the only ones who feel at home in the festivities. Indian nationals Devindra Kumar and Aman Singh also shared their experiences. Both coming from Mumbai, India, the duo has only been in Guyana for two months.

While Guyana may not feel like home all the time, they said that during Phagwah, or Holi, it certainly does. “We came all the way from Mumbai, India, and the celebrations are very nice, the people are very nice,” Kumar said.

Singh shared similar sentiments, adding that the elements of unity, celebration and community are as alive here as they are in India. “The culture here is not so different. Holi here is nice, Guyana and India, they are both the same the people come out together and celebrate.” From Providence to villages across the country, the Festival of Colours served as a powerful reminder of the unity that binds Guyana.