The stage is set for one of the most exciting showcases of the nation’s youth in costumes, dramatic presentations, calypso, dance and masquerade as well as choir singing competitions nationwide.
Under the stewardship of the Education Ministry’s Unit of Allied Arts, headed by Convener Desiree Wyles–Ogle, the regional competitions should get started in all 11 educational districts before January month-end.
The competitions are to be contested at the nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
On January 23, Region Two will host its Calypso and Dramatic Poetry competitions at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.
All educational district competitions are scheduled to be completed before February 9. Thereafter, thousands of children are scheduled to compete to gain a spot to represent their educational district at the national level in Georgetown.
The main venue for the national finals is the National Cultural Centre and should feature some 2000 children participating competitively, starting with the Dance and Masquerade categories, followed by Calypso and Dramatic Poetry.
Meanwhile, the Children’s Road Parade is set for February 11 along the regular route – starting at Parade Ground, in Georgetown, heading East into Middle Street, North into Camp Street, East into Lamaha Street, North into Albert Street and culminate in the National Park.
Generally, the children’s competitions will be focused on the 2017 theme, “Celebration with Dignity, Liberty and Greater Unity”, but will make allowance for the overarching theme of spreading the national narrative of Guyana as an emerging green state.
The Region One (Barima-Waini) Children’s Mashramani competition is carded for January 28 starting at 10:00h and will feature dramatic poetry, calypso, dance, and choir presentation and physical display at the Santa Rosa Secondary School.
In Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), the Anna Regina Ground is set to come alive with children’s Mashramani competitive action featuring dramatic poetry and calypso, dance and masquerade, costume/physical display and jump rope.
