President Bharrat Jagdeo and PPP Presidential Candidate Donald Ramator during a walk about the National Park on Emancipation Day stopped to meet and greet exhibitors
Thousands of persons celebrated Emancipation Day at the National Park on Monday, August 1, savouring the rich cultural items put on by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA).
Inclement weather conditions prevented an early start of the event, but as the day wore on, more and more persons decked out in full African attire came out to enjoy the cultural presentation by ACDA. ACDA hosted the day’s festivities under the theme “Reuniting the African Family”.
In his welcome address, ACDA President Eric Phillips reminded Guyanese that they are all Africans, “We are a single human race, a single human family.” And in keeping with the United Nations’ theme for the Year for people of African Descent: “Recognition, Justice and Development”, Phillips called on the nation to “look at you inwardly and outwardly and seek justice”. But he noted that, for Africans to develop, there must be democracy.
This year’s celebrations featured cultural presentations from across the country, as well as presentations from Trinidad’s Nazarene Steel Orchestra, a Mexican dance group, and groups from Suriname and Canada.
Mexican Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Sandoval, in praising the cultural presentation, noted that the Mexican group was in Guyana on showcase and was invited to participate in yesterday’s celebrations.
Exciting drumming, rousing dancing, poetry recitals and songs, including an electrifying performance by Natural Black, kept the crowd entertained and in good spirits.
Dancers performing a cultutal itemChildren also particpated in the celebrations
