Mashramani, or Mash, the annual celebration marking the country’s Republican status, will be bigger than ever this year, as this is the 50th anniversary.
Some 50 events, consisting of music and art competitions, concerts, sporting events and festivals will fill the latter part of January and the entire month of February as Guyana celebrates 50 years as a Republic.
The celebrations will be staged under the theme “Reflect, Celebrate Transform,” and will see some $219M being spent to make it a reality.
“As Guyana prepares for our 50th anniversary as a Republic, we have been tasked as an inter-ministerial committee set up by Cabinet to envisage an outstanding celebration that will highlight the significance of this milestone,” said Minister of Social Cohesion Dr George Norton, speaking at a press conference at the Racquet Centre in Georgetown.
The celebrations will include the traditional Chutney, Calypso and Soca singing competitions, Panorama along with a host of new events unique to the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The celebrations will span all ten of Guyana’s administrative regions. It was also noted that events will not be expressly used as a platform for political campaigns leading up to the March 2nd elections.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Melissa Tucker stated that major sponsor Caribbean Airlines will be offering a discount to visitors from looking to come to Guyana during the celebration period.
“In celebration and recognition of this historic event, Caribbean Airlines is offering a 5% discount on their North American and Caribbean Airlines destination for persons coming home to celebrate with us during the period January 22-February 18,” Tucker stated.
Tucker issued a call to the business community to partner with the ministry during the period. She stated that the door is open as the ministry looks to offset the massive budget associated with the celebrations.
