The Business Ministry in collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry on Friday evening launched the widely anticipated Coconut Festival at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
The festival is being hosted with the intent of re-educating Guyanese of the diverse benefits of coconuts, known as the “super fruit”.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo breaking the coconut thus officially declaring open Coconut Festival 2016
To be held for three nights, the festival is expected to attract a wide audience who can expect to learn of the health and cosmetic benefits, the nutritional values, as well as numerous ways this product can be manufactured.
Exhibitors from as far as Brazil, Suriname, Mexico, Indian and Switzerland, are expected to participate in the event, showcasing how coconut is being utilised in their respective homelands.
Speaking at the opening, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said he is very pleased that an event such as this has been launched.
He noted that the launch of the festival is more than just about coconuts but more so about the recovery of the lost esteem of the coconut.
“The coconut had fallen victim to one of the most vicious cultural attacks, some may call it a victim of cultural imperialism. We didn’t have the technology to advertise coconut or to change it into exotic oils and perfumes and lipstick and creams, we didn’t have the technology to put it on the international market and so we were told that coconut wasn’t good for us, for our bodies and our beauty because there were other superior oils and ours was deemed not good quality, that is why I said that today is a day of self esteem”.
According to the Prime Minister, coconut is considered a product which comes from a healthy ancestry.
“I consider coconut as a product of a healthy ancestry for those of us who grew up with it. It was used to do many things in the olden days and it was utilised to the fullest”.
The festival saw numerous creative uses of coconut being displayed, a highlight being the coconut machine. Although not made from coconut, is can be used to make using the coconut much easier. With just one press, a coconut is sliced in two and with one push, one would be able to extract the coconut water.
Also in attendance at the opening ceremony was Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin.
