President mingles with Emancipation Day patrons in National Park PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 01 August 2012 22:12
EMANCIPATION Day in the National Park this year was no different from the usual atmosphere of unity and camaraderie when President Donald Ramotar visited for the first time as the country’s Head of State. While some patrons took advantage of the opportunity to share a photograph with the President, others like entrepreneurs and small businessmen and women used the occasion to pitch their business ideas and ventures.
Among them was Michael Alleyne, a Chinese trained bamboo craft producer whose finished products amazed President Ramotar and, he got advice on how to market his products more effectively.
Manufacturers of the locally produced Pandama wine showcased their samples, sealed and well branded.
Exhibits lined the periphery of the National Park displaying a variety of entertaining and enlightening materials and information about aspects of Guyanese and African culture and persons of distinction who contributed.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s booth of exhibits that featured among other things, iconic Guyanese of African descent and monuments, was accompanied by steel pan renditions.
The Embassy of the United States which had a booth adjacent to the Culture Ministry, staged a pictorial exhibition of stalwarts in the African civil rights movement, inclusive of Martin Luther King.
The Bramha Kumari Spiritual Organisation, an international group working at all levels of society with a mandate of positive change, also made its presence known, and representatives used the occasion to create public awareness at the time of the President’s visit.
Patrons also had the option of looking at the more energetic performances in the form of music, song, dance and poetry that were staged simultaneously on the tarmac of the National Park.
In an invited comment to the media, President Ramotar spoke with appreciation about the atmosphere and the noble efforts by the various groups, to perpetuate their culture in a society that is multi-ethnic.
This year the Government, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport gave a total of $7M to 49 cultural groups from villages and communities traditionally purchased by slaves after emancipation.
The financial support, which has been an ongoing feature of the ministry since 2005, varied in proportion to the size of the planned activities, and is intended to cover the cost incurred for spearheading those activities.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 August 2012 22:37
 
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