Mash 2015 ... city ablaze with resplendent colours as 27 bands participate
Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, February 23, 2015, Source - GINA
The scene was one of bright sunshine, dramatic costumes, masquerade, music, food, happy laughter and joy, as Guyanese together celebrated the nation’s biggest cultural extravaganza; the high point of the country’s annual observance of its Republic anniversary celebration.
The event saw bands blaring loud soca music, enthusiastic revellers bedecked in beautiful and glittering costumes gyrating along the route, and thousands of onlookers.
Twenty seven bands took to the streets, in the small, medium and large categories with depictions keeping in line with this year’s Mash theme “One People One Culture One Celebration”.
An additional five party trucks graced the parade which saw persons gyrating to the beat of soca music.
Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce revelers
The parade commenced on Church and Camp streets, moved east along Church Street, into Vlissengen Road and from there it proceeded into the National Park at Thomas Lands.
All along the route of the parade there were families picnicking and enjoying the good weather and togetherness. There were also a lot of overseas visitors some of whom were having the first carnival like experience in Guyana.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, who was on the parade route said that this year’s Mash was bigger and the bands have increased tremendously.
“We are having a great Mash this year…lots of beautiful floats and colours. This year some of the bands are extremely large, the PPP/C band has more than a thousand people which will make Mash this year one of the biggest ever,” he said.
The Minister expressed Mashramani greetings to all Guyanese while reflecting on the introspection of what Guyana has achieved as a country over these 45 years of Republican Status.
“I think as a country we have done well, and we have achieved quite a lot and we must celebrate that”.
Guyanese and tourists were seen enjoying themselves on the streets of the capital, mainly along the route to the National Park for a firsthand look at the costumes and floats.
Mashramani has been part of the national calendar of annual cultural events, from the date of Guyana being declared a Republic, on February 23, 1970. From a decision by a once vibrant social organisation, the Jaycees, that there must be some form of celebration, in observance of the country’s attainment of Independence in 1966 that began in the mining town of Linden, Mashramani was born.
A section of patrons picnicking
Since 1992, the event has grown significantly because of corporate sponsorship and participation that has resulted in larger costume bands.
Companies such as Digicel, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T), and Pulse Entertainment were among the bands.
Several Government officials were in the parade including, Health, Tourism Industry and Commerce, Education, Culture Youth and Sport and Home Affairs.
In an invited comment, Minister of Tourism (ag), Irfaan Ali lauded the Ministry of Culture for the effort in making this year’s Mashramani celebration a successful one.
He further expounded on the increase in the number of Mash bands and youth participation as Guyana celebrated another year of Republican Status.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand all decked out in her costume said that it was a wonderful day, and the theme was a great one, and that what was seen on the road today should spill over to everyday life.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport Alfred King noted that as usual the Mashramani parade was colourful and diverse with a significant increase in the number of bands.
“There has been a tremendous growth in the size of every participating band. In fact there are over 10 bands with almost 300 strong persons inside, which is saying that the companies that are coming out to participate are putting on a massive show, with good participation,” he said.
Ministry of Health with their theme “Wellness Warriors”
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee said the participation has been great with a tremendous sense of national unity. “This is the kind of spirit that should prevail throughout the rest of the year. This is where it is fantastic, I am proud to be a Guyanese, I am proud to be a part of this, politics aside this is fantastic," he said.
In the large band category, Digicel stood out in their standard red and additional rainbow coloured costumes, fielding a strong contingent of approximately 1000 revellers while Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) saw revellers decked out in their blue mascot parading under the theme “Let’s Protect and Preserve Water".
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport excited patrons with a contingent of revellers numbering more than 300 portraying the theme “Celebrating in Harmony” which depicted the dominant colours of the National Flag and the meaning of the colours.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change coalition turned out with more than 300 revellers sporting green and gold under the theme “Cultural Unity” and Pulse Entertainment saw over 300 revellers decked in their colourful costumes gyrating in the party truck.
Ministry of Amerindian Affairs float and revelers
In the medium band category, a particular new band, Maxi Williams Mash band saw over 60 revellers parading under the theme “Asian People” while the 50-member Ministry of Health's contingent showcased nurses and doctors dressed to depict health warriors to destroy diseases.
The Ministry of Education came out 50 strong in the small band category under the theme “Education in light of cultural unity”.
Patrons who lined the route were impressed with the parade and spoke highly of it as they were mesmerised by the pot pouri of cultures that exist in Guyana.
Rajeev Kumar, an Indian national said that it is an excellent festival and it was a good outing.
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in the large band category
Kurt Moore said Mashramani is something that he looks forward to as being his favourite time of the year to enjoy and spend time with the family.
Sarah said Mash is wonderful time where everyone seems happy and unified. “ I think the bands are very wonderful and colourful and the floats are bigger, I love Mashramani since I was small, I am very happy and enthusiastic to be here”.
As part of Mashramani celebrations, the Mash Secretariat under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport organised several events which kicked off in January to commemorate the 45th Republic anniversary. These include the calypso, chutney, soca, and steel band competitions, as well as the schools' competitions which attracted participation from Guyanese across the country.
