“She helped us to discover our Guyanese-ness” – Pres. Granger
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDbaG77aQ2c” width=”100%” height=”315″]
─ famed Guyanese Composer honoured
─ commemorative stamp to be issued
─ historic Carmichael St. building renamed in her honour
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, February 12, 2019
The life and work of Valerie Rodway, a famed Guyanese composer of several national songs was commemorated by a large gathering of family, friends, President David Granger, First Lady Sandra Granger, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.
Also, present at the official naming of the building at Lot 94 Carmichael Street as ‘Valerie Rodway House’, were students of The Bishops’ High School, Christ Church Secondary School and St. John’s College.
The ceremony which featured remarks from President David Granger, Professor Vibert Cambridge, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes and other members of the Rodway family was held on Rodway’s birth centenary.
The late Valerie Rodway, born February 12, 1919, in New Amsterdam, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region 6), is best known for the composition of melodious odes including ‘O Beautiful Guyana’, ‘Kanaima’, ‘Hymn for Guyana’s Children’, ‘Arise Guyana’ and ‘Guyana the Free’.
President Granger spoke of her enduring contributions to Guyanese society and officially opened the building renamed in Rodway’s honour.
“Valerie Rodway’s talent is that she moved beyond ethnicity, she moved beyond religion, she moved beyond the prejudices of being urban or rural and she, I think, helped us to discover our Guyanese-ness,” he noted.
Additionally, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPO) has issued a commemorative stamp in honour of Rodway.
Postmaster General, Karen Browne explained that “In December, we had commenced production of this stamp which honours and recognises a much-beloved musician.”
Valerie Rodway left behind a substantial body of patriotic work. Her life as a teacher, performer and composer provided an example of the lasting power of music.
Nateshia Isaacs.
Images: Marceano Narine.