THE cultural festival hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport last Saturday, in recognition of International Year for People of African Descent, was described as a “resounding success” by Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon yesterday. Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing, Luncheon said the Expo-type arrangement allowed visitors to “physically indulge their total taste and immerse themselves in the sensation of being Afro-Guyanese”.
The festival was held at the Guyana National Stadium and it saw participation from about 56 cultural groups. Entrance to the event was free and booths displayed craft, creole food and other items. Cultural performances from villages were also part of the programme.
According to Culture Minister Frank Anthony, the festival was aimed at heightening awareness of the African culture.
Since it has been observed that many people are intrigued by African head wraps, there was a special booth showing how this was done and an entire session was dedicated to teaching African drumming.
A concert was put on from 20:00 hrs, dealing with traditions, slavery, independence and the modern era.
The international segment featured performances from a Suriname group.
Meanwhile, Luncheon observed that last Wednesday, Guyanese remembered the African holocaust, the enslavement of Africans, and their trafficking to the New World by Europeans.
“Guyana joined with the rest of the world in remembering the 500 years of Africans in the New World and in the Diaspora beyond Guyana,” Luncheon said.