Thousands of youths from the 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana, on Feb. 17, braved the sweltering heat in Georgetown to show their cultural pride at the 2024 Mashramani Children’s Parade during a pulsating 54th Anniversary Republic commemoration, theme: “Celebrating Our Peoples and Our Prosperity.”
The kaleidoscope of Guyana’s multi-cultural heritage was brought into focus the many aspects of the country’s infrastructural development, resources, and educational trust, during the vibrant presentation.
Prominent costume designer and pageant director Paul Burnette told Caribbean Life at the Parade Ground starting point, that his band highlighted the uniqueness of the country’s trajectory.
“This band’s theme is surety in unity for prosperity. It speaks of the people of Guyana coming together, working together, and putting resources together to build Guyana.”
“We’re looking at a one Guyana theme. Our main economy product now is the oil and gas industry. With the revenues earned from this, we can foster development in the tourism industry, the mining industry, and our sports and culture industry,” said the creator, who chose a 15-year-old student to carry the individual costume.
The exciting revelry, fueled by soca music, the waving of the Golden Arrowhead flag, dazzling costumes representing Guyana’s colors, and banners with titles including “Celebrating Our Peoples and Our Progress,” “The Melting Pot of Culture, Education is our First Goal,” “Celebrating Our Progress and Prosperity Honoring Our Peoples,” “Bright and prosperous Guyana Shining High,” “Celebrating Our Infrastructural Development,” “Embracing Unity Celebrating Mash as One Guyana,” “Sustainability for our Nations’ Development Through Education and Technology,” among others.
Some of the depictions were the Four-Lane Bridge currently under construction, Heroes Highway, the Oil and Gas sector, the Coat of Arms, Tourism, and the mineral rich region of Guyana.
The children’s road march concluded a week-long program of competitions. The categories included, dramatic poetry, soca, and hip-hop.
The commemoration will continue with the adult float parade and revelry on Mash Day, Feb. 23 on the streets of Georgetown, and across the nation.
