by Abigail Kippins
Guyana Chronicle
April 17, 2001

THOUSANDS yesterday flocked the seawalls along the coast and just about all the available open spaces in Georgetown and its environs for the traditional Easter Monday kite-flying and other revelry.

President Bharrat Jagdeo in his Easter message had urged the nation to come out in their numbers for the Easter holiday to show the world that they reject violence, incitement and intimidation.

And they did and some persons noted that the numbers were greater in comparison to previous years.

From as early as 09:00 hrs, large groups, especially families with children, trekked to the country's seawalls and playing fields to freely fly their kites without them getting tangled in trees or electricity supply wires.

The bright sunshine and cool Atlantic breeze were the ideal conditions for the flying of kites which for Christians signify Christ's resurrection and glorious ascension.

However, while many were flying kites in observance of the Christian belief and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, others saw the festival commemoration as another family day and a day for merrymaking.

Several sound systems were set up along the sea walls and in other areas to entertain those who preferred to celebrate in forms other than by flying kites.

Events to mark the day included a fair at the Guyana Softball Ground in Georgetown and the annual `Academic Freedom' fete at the University of Guyana.

Persons travelled from as far as the West Bank Demerara and Berbice to be a part of the activities in the city while others left the city and trekked to the rural areas to spend the day.

"I think is a nice change of scenery. Is the same type of activity but the mere thought that you are away from the hometown and mixing with other persons make you feel good", one parent said.

He had travelled to the Hope beach on the East Coast Demerara with his family and though he said the area was unusually quiet, he felt good to be in the countryside to celebrate the day.

Persons of other religious groups also turned out in their numbers to pass the day which has become a national holiday and is being observed by all.

The Botanical Gardens in Georgetown was reasonably packed earlier in the day and families camped out under trees, in the shade of their parked vehicles, and some camped on the ground.

The National Park in the city was also packed with families and groups of all races who came out with their picnic baskets and passed the day playing games and engaging in other forms of entertainment.

The picnic baskets, however, did not stop vending and there was food in galore as several vendors set up business along the sea walls and other kite-flying areas.

Snow cone carts, cool-down and sweets trays were everywhere and some vendors said the day was profitable.

The Botanical Gardens, several sports grounds in city and the National Park were among the places transformed into picnic sites.

Kites of different sizes, shapes and in a range of colours soared in the wind to the amusement and enjoyment of the children who seemed not to be tired going after the kites when they failed to remain in the air or became entangled with another.

Even the older folks were engrossed in the fun of the kite-flying and though some were assisting the younger ones to raise the kites and getting them to stay up, some of the older folks actually had contraptions of their own and seemed to savour every moment of the activity.

No one was left out and those who were not flying kites yesterday simply sat with their families to observe the activities in a relaxing environment.

"I just bring the family out to spend the day...", one parent said, "...but I have my own kite here. After all, I have to enjoy the day too."

He was at the Hope beach and had travelled all the way from Mahaicony.

At that beach there was also police security since the area is noted to be packed with revellers, especially late in the afternoon.

However, at about 14:00 hrs, the crowd at this beach was still small and persons said the area usually attracts a larger crowd at that time.

However, it was expected that later in the day, when it was cooler, the crowds would have increased in this area as in other parts of the country.

Persons usually remain at the beach after dark for party sessions.