Youths taking the lead

− respective Independence parade and cultural presentation set to be held in Region 1, 2,7 and 9

By Neola Damon

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Close to 60 schools across the country are set to participate in the country’s 53rd Independence Anniversary celebration with youths for the first time in the country’s history hoisting the Golden Arrow Head, at the D’Urban Park ceremony.

Coordinator of the Independence activities Andrew Tyndall made the announcement, on Wednesday, at a press conference at the Ministry of the Presidency’s, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport’s boardroom.

“I think this is the first time we [government] are having a large number of youths participating and really the full involvement and engagement of the youths because the entire programme is led by the youths, unlike previous years…. I think the trust is to have more youth involvement at the national stage and conversation. What a better way to allow them to take the rein of the country’s 53rd Independence celebration,” Tyndall noted.

This, he said, will help young people to create a sense of nationalism and patriotism to assist in the development of Guyana. The 5,000 students from Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 will take centre stage in the parade, choral and cultural presentation.

While training was provided to youths in Region 2, 7, and 9, they will perform in their respective regions. Region 1 will also be included in the nation’s Independence celebrations.

For the first time, there will be a youth marching band of 150 members drawn from Region 4, 6 and 10. In addition to this, persons will see a choir of 500 strong students. The department hopes to establish a National School Choir.

According to the coordinator, this initiative is a progressive move for youth involvement and the development of music. “There will be a number of things coming out from the training that has gone into preparing the students to participate in the country’s 53rd Independence celebration.”

Tyndall added that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was also involved in the training process to prepare the youths.

For the second year, the Flag Concert is slated to bring out large numbers of people compared to last year. Top Guyanese artistes such as Jumo Primo, Michelle’ Big Red’ King, Steven Ramphal, Melissa’ Vanilla’ Robert, Brandon Harding and others are slated to perform. It will be held at the Stabroek Market Square on Friday, May 24, at 22:00hrs.

The department hopes to have another incident-free event this year.

Images: Jules Gibson.

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