1000 young Guyanese to perform at Flag Raising

(Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, May 18, 2016 – At the stroke of midnight on May 25, 2016, the Golden Arrowhead will be hoisted for the fiftieth time to celebrate Guyana’s Golden Jubilee of Independence anniversary.

Each year, on the eve of Guyana’s Independence Day, a flag raising ceremony is usually held at the National Park; however, this year’s ceremony will take place at D’urban Park on Homestretch Avenue. The event has a two-part programme that will commence at 20:00hrs.

The cultural part of the programme titled “A Patriotic Tribute” is a colourful artistic mass display of dances to patriotic and national songs performed by 1000 young Guyanese. These participants represent the National School of Dance, Religious Groups, Schools, Regional Choirs, Steelbands, and Calisthenics.

The joint steel band will feature 100 players from the Buxton Pride Steel band, the National Steel Orchestra, Pan Wave Steel Band, the Bishops’ High Steel Band and the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Steel Band.

The joint choir will include 130 students from St. Stephen’s, St. Pius, Comenius, Sophia, East La Penitence, Winfer Garden, Friendship, Strathspey, and Paradise Primary Schools; West Demerara Secondary, Woodside Choir, Annandale Secondary, Golden Grove Secondary, St. Stanislaus College, St Joseph High, and Central High.

There will also be 30 drummers from the Otishka and the Dubraj Tassa Group.

Meanwhile, the ceremonial component will include a joint military band display, military parade, announcement of National awards and citations, address by President David Granger, hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead and a fireworks display by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The Flag Raising ceremony is in keeping with the theme of the Golden Jubilee of Independence celebrations; “Reflect, Celebrate, Inspire’.