‘Showcasing a Cultural Mix in 2006'

Under the patronage of Acting President and Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, Mash 2006 was officially launched last evening at the Umana Yana, Kingston .

Prior to the launching, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports conducted a mini road march along Main Street .

The gyrators, after making their way up Main Street , danced their way into the Umana Yana where a cultural presentation was hosted before Mash 2006 was officially launched.

Minister Gail Teixeira - Guyana Chronicle

In her feature address, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Gail Teixeira, said that since Guyana would be commemorating its 40 th Independence Anniversary next year, Mashramani 2006 will feature many aspects of that achievement.

“Many people may say suppose we have another flood, or since it is an elections year they may say suppose something happens. But we are planning Mash 2006 despite all the ability humans have to predict the future, in their thoughts of what can go wrong. Mash 2006 is a one- time opportunity to make up for our 2005 celebrations which we had to downsize,” Minister Teixeira said.

She noted that next year will be filled with lots of activities since Guyana will be preparing to host the world cup cricket the following year.

Minister Teixeira added that despite this, Mash 2006 is expected to be a grand celebration.

“We will be going throughout the country. We will be moving from Canje to Lethem to Bartica. All over Guyana we will be taking the competitions that are carried out before Mash. Many may ask why we are taking some of the celebrations to Lethem but what we have taken into consideration is that a few years from now with the CSME and the road between Guyana and Brazil , we may very well have to take the road march up there.”

A chutney competition will be included in next year's celebrations.

This will be a new feature of the Mash celebrations and will be hosted by Region Two.

“What I have advised all the regions to do is to try and use the Mash activities as a means of raising funds for their regions,” Teixeira said.

The name of this year's Mashramani's theme competition winner is nine-year-old, Shamar Mittelholzer, of William Street Kitty, who sent in the theme ‘Showcasing a Culture Mix in 2006' and was presented with a $30,000 cash prize for his entry.

Speaking with Kaieteur News following the unveiling of the theme, the Mae's Primary school student said he came up with the idea for the theme after thinking hard about a concept involving Guyana 's culture.

“I thought about the six races and the fact that all of them have different cultures and with that in mind, I came up with the theme,” the smiling young man said.

‘Lady Tempest' and the Guyana Prison Service Steel Pan orchestra provided musical renditions at yesterday's launching.