2012 Mash celebrations to balance partying and education – Dr Anthony

TIMES INT'L

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony has promised new features for Mashramani 2012, saying that there would a fine balance between the partying and the educational components with the aim of making all the new features reflect traditions of tomorrow.

Minister Anthony holds up a copy of the Mashramani magazine

Among the new features to be introduced is the Inaugural Republic of Guyana Lecture that covers a range of topics focusing on the broad cultural diversity found within Guyana. This year, Professor John Rickford from Stanford University will grace audiences at the Umana Yana on February 20 to discuss his views on the cultural aspects in Guyana.

Dr Anthony stated these lectures are to broaden the idea of Mashramani and the corresponding celebrations.

He noted the various workshops that are being held up until Mashramani are in direct relation to showcasing, “culture relating to growth of development”. The Children’s Float Parade, while not a Mash regular, this year will be put on in collaboration with the Education Ministry. Dr Anthony expressed his aim at targeting the youth and imbuing them with a sense of identity early on and by focusing Mash events away from the, “whine up” aspects that are normally associated with Mashramani.

The Culture Ministry decided that the addition of folk concerts and an art exhibit held at Castellani House will help to showcase the range of artistic talents within Guyana. Dr Anthony stated that the folk concerts will be done, “because we recognise that we need to promote and sustain our folk art”.

Those heading out to enjoy Mashramani this year can still expect the steel pan bands, over 25 floats and masquerade bands. Although Anthony did state that if the masquerade bands were not numerous and a competition was unable to be conducted, people can still expect, “masquerades out on the road on the day of the float parade”.

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