Young voices take the lead at “The River Remembers” cultural showcase

Youths are set to take charge of every aspect of “The River Remembers” this Sunday, a production commemorating Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary.
The show is expected to break away from traditional productions by placing young participants in leadership roles typically held by adults, while also highlighting Guyana’s growing orange economy.
The experience at the National Cultural Centre this Sunday will be unlike any other as children take centre stage as hosts of The River Remembers — a youth-led production aimed at showcasing Guyana’s creative industries as the nation celebrates its 60th independence anniversary.

Speaking about the event on an EdYouFM programme, Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, Joel Gonsalves, explained that the production will give audiences an immersive experience into the stories, culture, innovation, and opportunities shaping Guyana’s future. The show is scheduled to begin at 1 PM.
“So the production basically speaks of Guyana’s journey from just after independence to the present day. We are a resilient group of people, and it carries a storyline that shows progress, unity, and the role of education in shaping Guyana’s identity,” he explained.
He added that the production would not be a traditional cultural showcase, but one designed to expose audiences to the country’s expanding orange economy.
Guyana is rapidly developing its orange economy, or creative industries sector, as a key pillar for economic diversification beyond oil, with $3.7 billion allocated in Budget 2026 to boost culture, tourism, and entertainment.
Expanding on the concept of the orange economy, he explained that Guyana has long possessed creative talent within its schools and communities.
“Everyone is hearing about the orange economy, and I would have said before that it’s not something new because we do have talent within our schools and we continue to harness that talent through music, drama, theatre, and other creative fields,” one organiser explained.
He noted that the production aims to show not only students, but also parents, that talents in areas such as sewing, craft production, music, and performance can become sustainable careers.
“If your child is talented in these areas, there is room for them in the business world, and you should allow their talent to guide their career and not seek a career simply for the sake of paying bills,” the organiser added.
Audiences can also expect an extensive pre-show featuring students performing on the piano, violin, guitar, steel pan, and vocals before the main production begins.
Meanwhile, Chief Planning Officer of the Education Ministry, Mischka White Griffith, said the event aims to nurture leadership qualities from a very young age while helping students recognise the potential of creative careers.
“We need students to understand that this can be a career. If that is your talent, we want to help pave the way for it to become your career,” she said.
White Griffith explained that Guyana is moving toward a future where locally produced films, actors, actresses, and entertainers can gain international recognition.
“We are moving to a place where movies can be made in Guyana and where we can have our own actors and actresses winning awards. It doesn’t start when you’re 30. It starts now, and we are laying the foundation for that,” she stated.
She further revealed that many of the students involved in the production are contributing creatively by composing music, choreographing dances, and developing parts of the showcase themselves.
Meanwhile, she also challenged the traditional belief that children should only aspire to conventional careers such as law, medicine, or engineering, encouraging parents to support their children’s creative ambitions.
“Parents need to trust the process,” she said. “Sometimes we want to play it safe because we know careers like medicine or engineering provide dependable income, but we also need to look beyond that and see where the world is heading and where new opportunities exist.”
She added that stepping beyond traditional career paths may involve risks, but those risks can also bring significant opportunities and growth.
They both also revealed that students from across Guyana will participate in The River Remembers, including representatives from Regions One, Three, Four, Five, Six, Eight, Nine, and Ten. Special groups, including students from the SEND programme, are also expected to showcase their talents during the production.