Guyanese revel in heavy downpours to celebrate Mashramani

Guyanese from all walks of life in their creative costumes braved the downpours to revel in this year’s costume and float parade in observance of Guyana’s 53rd Republic Anniversary which is being celebrated under the theme, “Mixing and Mashing as one Guyana.”
Though the event was off to a late start, thousands of citizens gathered to witness the parades along the route.
The celebration embodied the true Guyanese culture as the revellers danced their way through the streets to blasting Soca music from afar, jumping and waving the golden arrowhead.
While patrons had to wait until the afternoon hours to catch their first, real glimpse of the parade in rhythmic motion, a brilliant white, double-decker truck made its way up church street first.
The Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry was most fitting to lead the parade and a drenched Minister Charles Ramson jr. waved his Golden Arrowhead happily, as he passed adoring citizens.
“I can’t explain the feeling because words can’t describe it. It’s amazing,” Ramson told the Guyana Times. “The main thing for us is to be able to celebrate the country. Yeah, we want to win but I think Guyana wins today.”
Ramson responded to questions about the unifying power of the Mashramani holiday, stating, “We haven’t had a Mashramani since 2020 because of COVID but I’m so happy I had the opportunity to lead this because I get to see how elaborate this process is, but how important it is too because it helps us to find the moments and events where we can knit together as a country, together we are unstoppable.”
Further down Church Street, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips had employed the services of a raincoat, but he was by no means allowing the weather to dampen his mood.
“This is ideal weather for Mashramani. There’s no sunshine, the rain finish falling, the place as cool as ever and so we’re mixing and mashing 2023,” a beaming Phillips said.
Talking about the Telecommunications float, which was adorned in royal blue and gold, Phillips added, “It’s all about energy, people-centered development, ICT connectivity, that’s what we’re here for.”
Meanwhile, an appreciation for Mashramani’s unifying powers also came from opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul, who, along with his colleagues gyrated and greeted patrons along the route.
“It’s good to be out here, the energy is real,” Mahipaul told this publication.
“I am Happy to see everybody out here. Today is a day bout dropping all political tools and just coming out and celebrating our Mashramani. It’s something we have to be very happy about and we’re pleased to be here mingling with our people and we hope to show that we have to be working together to go places and move this country forward.”
This celebration brought joy to the faces of many Guyanese, old and young, who finally had the opportunity to take part in all the energetic, festive, and zestful activities associated with Mashramani.