Guyana High Commission in London commemorates 50th Republic Day Anniversary

The Guyana High Commission in London, in collaboration with members of the diaspora, coordinated a series of events to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary.

The launch was held on Thursday, February 20, 2020, and hosted by the Commonwealth Foundation at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, under the theme, ‘Reflect, Celebrate and Transform’.

The evening included opening remarks from Acting High Commissioner, Ms. Peggy McLennan. Prominent Guyanese personalities residing in the United Kingdom, Mr. John Agard and Mr. Trevor Phillips, shared their unique interpretations and reflections on Guyana’s evolving socio-cultural construct provoking nostalgia in the audience and providing food for thought. They were both in Guyana when it became a Co-operative Republic.

Acting High Commissioner, Peggy McLennan and the Dean of Westminster Abbey, David Hoyle (center) with members of the diaspora on the steps of Westminster Abbey.

(L-R) Representative from the Commonwealth of the Bahamas; High Commissioner for Jamaica to the UK, His Excellency Seth George Ramocan; Acting High Commissioner of Guyana to the UK, Peggy McLennan; High Commissioner for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the UK, His Excellency Orville London; and Charge d’ Affaires of the Republic of Haiti to the UK, Laurent Pierre Prosper.

Mr. Agard is a distinctive poet; his poems combine acute social observation with a riotous imagination to thrilling effect while Mr. Phillips is a writer and television producer.  He co-founded the data analytics consultancy ‘Webber Phillips’ and is Chairman of ‘Green Park Interim’ and ‘Executive Research’.

On Saturday 22 February, the eve of the Republic Anniversary, members of the diaspora were joined at a cocktail and dinner party by a number of High Commissioners and Representatives of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Missions in London under the theme ‘Guyana together’.

During her remarks on this occasion, the Acting High Commissioner invited the diaspora to become more actively involved in the development of Guyana.

The High Commission hosted a Cultural Open Day on Guyana’s Republic Day on Sunday 23 February where the diaspora and friends were invited to enjoy local refreshment and cultural ‘open mic’. Presentations of note included one by Mrs. Doris Harper Wills, wife of late Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Fred Wills, and Mr. Ram John Holder ‘Pork Pie’ of the famous British/Guyanese sitcom ‘Desmond’s’.

On Monday 24 February 2020, the Guyana High Commission and members of the diaspora were invited to an ‘Evensong’ at Westminster Abbey.  The second lesson was read by the Acting High Commissioner and the service also included prayers for the leaders, Government and people of Guyana.