President David Granger and three former Presidents, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar and Sam Hinds along with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland on Wednesday gathered to witness the unveiling of portraits of the Presidents of Guyana.
The unveiling was done at this time to commemorate Guyana’s 53rd Independence anniversary.
A total of nine portraits of the present and past presidents of Cooperative Republic of Guyana were unveiled.
Dr. Barton Scotland said the Gallery of Presidents is a presentation to the Guyanese people.
“Beyond the observance, the 53rd Anniversary of Independence of our country, our fellow Guyanese and others who in the future will visit here, have much to contemplate through the reality of this gallery of Presidents.”
The Speaker said the gallery will add adornment and great lustre to the National Assembly.
Former President, Sam Hinds also spoke at the simple unveiling ceremony.
“I would like to advocate that if we take a real judgement understating of the challenges that face us, maybe we have not done too badly. In my view there was the challenge of our six people each in a different world having to work their way and come together,” Hinds said.
The gallery starts with the portrait of the first President, Arthur Chung, followed by Linden Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Cheddi Jagan, Sam Hinds, Janet Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar and current President David Granger.
Louie Jordan is one of the artists behind the gallery; he told the News Room it took him about five months to complete the shield above the portraits.
