British High Commissioner hosts fundraising event for Rupununi Music and Arts Festival

British High Commissioner to Guyana, HE Jane Miller on Thursday evening hosted a fundraising auction event in support of the upcoming Rupununi Music and Arts Festival in October. The Rupununi Music and Arts Festival returns to Manari Ranch in Region Nine, featuring performers from Guyana, the Caribbean, and South America.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips described the Rupununi Music and Arts Festival as “an investment in our Indigenous people and their extraordinary culture,” while emphasising its role as a powerful platform for youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and regional development.

“This is not only a financial show of support, but it represents an investment in our Indigenous peoples and their extraordinary culture,” PM Phillips said. “The festival provides emerging artists with an opportunity to showcase their talents, while preserving traditional art forms for future generations.”
The PM emphasised the festival’s alignment with the Government’s commitment to greater inclusion of Amerindian communities in national development.
“The Government of Guyana recognises that our First People are active partners in our development and therefore seeks to embrace the invaluable lessons learned from their traditional knowledge, cultural practices and sustainable way of life as we chart our course forward.” Highlighting the wider developmental value of the festival, PM Phillips noted its alignment with Guyana’s eco-tourism strategy and the significant economic opportunities it offers to hinterland communities.

“Rupununi offers an exceptional cultural richness that has become central to our tourism strategy. The music, crafts, traditions and stories of our Indigenous communities work like a magnet for tourists, making Guyana a distinguished destination. The Festival Village itself, envisioned as an eco-friendly space, represents our shared commitment to protecting our natural heritage while promoting sustainable cultural tourism.” He commended High Commissioner Miller for her continued leadership and advocacy. The fundraising campaign, launched in 2022, seeks to establish an eco-friendly, iconic Festival Village that will support cultural tourism and sustainable livelihoods in the Rupununi.
Describing the initiative as an example of modern diplomacy, PM Phillips praised the High Commissioner’s approach: “By promoting and supporting grassroots culture, you are weaving a strong social fabric for Guyana while strengthening the ties between Guyana and the United Kingdom (UK).”
The PM also underscored the festival’s role in youth development, noting that it provides a valuable platform for emerging artists to showcase their talents while helping to preserve traditional art forms for future generations.
In encouraging attendees to support the evening’s auction, he remarked: “When you bid on an item, consider the young person you are investing in and how you are contributing to the preservation of our cultural heritage. Our youths are our most treasured assets.”