“Spectacular celebration” planned to mark Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary in U.S.

TIMES INT'L
Guyana's Consul General to New York Brentnold Evans with initial planning committee members
Guyana’s Consul General to New York Brentnold Evans with initial planning committee members

Guyanese living in the United States (US) have begun preparation for the commemoration of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary in May of next year. US-based Guyanese Rickford Burke, has been named Coordinator of the Commemoration Planning Committee, which will oversee the planning and execution of activities which are expected to be a grand occasion.

President David Granger is expected to be at the festivities.

The initial meeting of the Committee was held last Wednesday at Guyana’s consulate in New York. Guyana’s Consul General Brentnold Evans, and the Committee brainstormed a series of activities and assessed the financial resources necessary to stage such a huge celebration in the Diaspora. The team agreed to one week of activities, beginning shortly after the conclusion of celebrations in Guyana.

Burke said his team is planning a spectacular celebration that will showcase Guyana’s rich culture and history, of which Guyanese will be especially proud.

He emphasised, “This will be a unified, bipartisan endeavour. Everyone, regardless of political, religious or social creed, will be invited and encouraged to participate. Guyana belongs to all of us. We must therefore fully embrace each other, as well as our unique Guyanese identity and come together to celebrate this historic milestone in the journey of our nation.”

“Our aim is to be uncompromisingly inclusive. Hence, the planning committee will be drastically expanded to represent all facets of the Guyanese society. In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be reaching out to various Guyanese-American communities in the metropolitan New York area and beyond, to include persons who can bring to bear targeted resources, expertise and skill-sets to make this a truly momentous celebration,” he added.

Guyana gained its independence from British rule on May 26, 1966.

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