Rupununi Festival promises exotically soulful experience

The annual Rupununi Music and Arts Festival was officially launched on Friday at Colgrain House, Camp Street, Georgetown, and organisers have promised nothing but a soulful experience in an exotic location surrounded by the lush greenlands of the Rupununi. The event is slated for February 16-18, at the Manari Ranch, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling town of Lethem in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Festival Director, Bob Ramdhanie, said the weekend’s event will include a range of activities and a number of performances by both local and international creative arts groups.
“During the day we wish to create space between 10:00 am to 4 pm (16:00h) so that visitors to the festival can leave the festival if they choose to and visit the neighbourhood and other sites and places of interest within the Rupununi. But for those who are staying on site all day, we will have arts and music and reading workshops, so people are engaged all the time,” Ramdhanie noted.
According to the Director, he is working towards constructing a village, within a two-year period, which will afford visitors the opportunity to camp, go for nature hikes and experience nature at its best.
Sitting in for the Indigenous Affairs Minister was Permanent Secretary Alfred King, who gave the Ministry’s full support towards the successful execution of the festival. He commended the organisers of the event for preserving the Indigenous culture through workshops and noted that the event will create jobs for some 80 persons in the region.
Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Senior Marketing Officer, Annarie Seecharan, expressed satisfaction in being part of the event and encouraged visiting Guyanese, particularly those visiting for Mashramani to explore and enjoy the event. She also pledged the GTA’s support with marketing and promoting the event.
As someone who loves the arts and nature, Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes urged persons to pick up their tents and head off the Manari Ranch for a one of a kind experience.
“I have had personal experience of enjoying the festival in being there for over a three-day period. And it is a moving experience because it’s not just music which is a powerful unifying role in any country or part of the world. But the fact is this is music with depth that allows you to experience a culture,” Hughes said.
Earlier Friday, Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock presented a cheque for $5 million to the Director of the Rupununi Music and Arts Festival to help offset some of the costs.
This year’s festival is the third edition and is packed with adventures throughout. Over the festival weekend, the days will feature exciting adventures, while the nights will be filled with fun camping activities, including cultural programmes all aimed at community building and encouraging social cohesion at the highest levels.
Among the daytime activities are early morning yoga sessions; group meditation, keep fit, zumba, capoeira. Additionally, there will also be workshops on jewellery making, music, dance, art, wood carving, etc.
Visitors will get the opportunity to go on guided tours through the Savannah, to nearby waterfalls and other sites. They can also enjoy outdoors adventures such as bird watching, fishing, biking and hikes.
Among the line-up of local performers are Creole Rock, Feed The Flames, Jazz and Poetry Ona Stool, Trevaun Selman, Nachgana Dancers, Surama Cultural Group and more are to be added – an announcement will be made in the coming weeks. Additionally, there will also be performances by our neighbouring artistes from Brazil and Suriname.