Christmas tree illuminated at Rahaman’s Park - amidst calls for unit

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce this evening  continued what has now become a yearly event, the   tree-lighting ceremony to usher in the Christmas season at the Rahaman’s Park Triangle, East Bank Demerara.

The event attracted its largest crowd ever, as parents and guardians turned out with their kids  to witness the illumination of the 70- foot tree by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who was assisted by his grandsons and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag) Irfaan Ali.

But prior the tree light-up, there was a programme that featured a saxophone performance of the ‘Have yourself a Merry Christmas” by Roy Stewart, who was later joined by Andrew Tyndal from the Music School for a saxophone and steel-pan combination.

Part of the crowd at the annual Christmas tree light-up

at Rahaman’s Park

There were also musical numbers by ‘The Messengers’ and ‘Brothers in Christ’ and a dance selection from a group from the National Dance School.

“This is a good occasion, we need occasions when our people come together just as citizens, with no respect to a particular place in society, and how much money we may or may not have, we just come together as a community,” Prime Minister Hinds noted.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addresses the Christmas tree

light-up at Rahaman’s Park

“For us in Guyana,  the job of growing and developing ourselves, economy and our country must  be paramount, but as we pursue that individually, we must not lose our sense of community and of society, so I am happy to be here at this occasion tonight and to see so many of you here with me,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that God has been good to Guyana in 2013, and it is fitting that as the year comes to an end that the country and its people celebrate and exercise good will to each other.

He called on those who have much, during this time, to share with their less fortunate neighbours. He also appealed that even in merriment of the season that persons refrain from drinking and driving and to obey the speed limit. “Do not let us in the midst of all this bring grief and sadness to our family and relatives,” he said.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds flicks the switch to light-up

the Christmas tree at Rahaman’s Park

Minister Ali noted that Christmas for Guyanese is to reach out to each other and to work to sustain the country. “Let us use this season to build a foundation of love and unity, one that would see all of us working together, one that would ensure that national priority, national projects are treated with national interest, one that would ensure progress and prosperity of Guyana is secure by our coming together, by our working together, by our understanding of what is essential to Guyana.”

The Minister said that the ministry has a packed Christmas agenda of activties. These, he said,  are “geared towards ensuring that the many visitors and the many people who come to Guyana to celebrate this season have at their disposal a variety of options that they could utilise for themselves and family.”

The 70- foot Christmas tree at Rahaman’s Park

The ministry’s Christmas itinerary started with its partnership with Courts, on November 15 for the Main Street light-up and continues with the launch of the Christmas Village on Main Street on December 5.  There will also be a special Christmas dinner on  Fort Island and a Christmas Cruise in the Demerara River.

The annual Christmas tree light-up at Rahaman Park is a partnership between the Ministry and Rahaman family.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds greets some of Santa’s helpers

Roy Rahaman who was joined by his younger daughter on the stage said that the annual tradition would continue, and as such he introduced his daughter who  will continue the tradition.

His daughter told the gathering that each year the aim is to increase the size of the tree, but unfortunately due to electrical wires in the vicinity, this was first year that the length of tree could not be  increased.

She made an appeal to have the wires moved/shifted to continue the national tradition of ‘growing’ the tree.

Santa and his helpers greet the children in the crowd

Rahaman said that they are seeking to have the tree reach  160 feet.

As part of the ceremony the children in the crowd also met Santa and his many cartoon character helpers, who also put on a 30-minute show for the kids.