5th Linden Riverfront Festival kicks off
─ showcases Linden’s tourism potential
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, June 29, 2019
The fifth annual Linden Riverfront Festival was, on Friday evening, declared open by Director-General (DG) of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon.
The event, which runs from June 28 to July 1, 2019, is being held under the theme, ‘‘Embracing the River’’. The festival was conceptualised by Samuel Wright and sought to showcase Linden’s full tourism potential.
During his remarks, DG Harmon acknowledged that riverfront development is part of the Coalition Government’s vision of developing a Green Guyana.
“It is part of our Green State Development Strategy [GSDS] and this is the strategy that will see Guyana into a green state within the next 30 years.”
He explained that transforming into a green state will, in turn, foster behavioural changes when it comes to environmental issues.
“Our attitude to rivers, creeks, trees and the environment, has to undergo significant changes and it is in that context that I really do appreciate what is happening on this waterfront,” the DG said.
The government has always been a strong supporter of waterfront development projects which are evident in Bartica, Supenaam and New Amsterdam. Harmon noted that rapid developments are occurring across Guyana further stressing that “the way we treat our waterways speaks to our development”.
Festival, founder and coordinator, Samuel Wright expressed his belief that Linden’s riverfront has much potential.
The weekend-long activity commenced Friday, June 28, with a Linden River Front Development Forum and will conclude with the signature regatta and family day on Caricom Day (July 1). It features a wide array of family-oriented sporting, religious and entertainment activities on the calendar of events.
Also present at the launch were Members of Parliament, Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindel, Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall and Deputy Mayor of New Amsterdam, Wayne Macintosh.
Images: Ameer Sattaur