– Social Cohesion Minister
Culture preservation is vital in consolidating national identity, therefore, it is imperative that we as Guyanese continue to practise the culture of our foreparents as opposed to embracing the culture of foreign countries which undoubtedly would lead down the path to identity erosion.
This sentiment was expressed by Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, during the inaugural Harmony Festival on Sunday, hosted under the theme, “Inter-Denominational Unity for a Cohesive Guyana”.
The event was hosted by the Social Cohesion Ministry in partnership with the Harmony Group, at the Family Federation for World Peace in Thomas Street, Georgetown.
Dr Norton expressed his support for cultural events which facilitate cross-interaction between cultures hence nurturing greater appreciation among the diverse ethnicities in Guyana.
Meanwhile, Programme Coordinator of the Social Cohesion Ministry, Sharon Patterson said the event aimed to enlighten the general populace that diversity was not limited to race and ethnicity, but rather inclusive of all other differences, such as age, geographical location and gender.
Harmony Fest 2017 featured religious items and crafts on display and cultural pieces performed by Indigenous dance troupes hailing from Annai, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); the Elim Pentecostal Church; the Unified Tassa Group; the Guyana Police Force’s steel orchestra and the Shelita Dance Group among others.
The Harmony Festival was conceived earlier this year when several Christian groups around Georgetown completed training in diversity education and inclusion conducted by the Social Cohesion Ministry which required the trainees to develop a community project projecting Guyana’s cultural diversity.
