by Amanda Wilson
Guyana Chronicle
May 1, 2001

THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports this month has a full calendar of activities to celebrate national holidays and historic events, including Independence Day and the 25th anniversary of the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

Minister Gail Teixeira yesterday said all events will be open to everyone, especially schools at the various levels, youth organisations and others in the history field.

This month's events were outlined at a news briefing at the ministry's Main Street, Georgetown office.

On May 18, Guyana and the rest of the world will be celebrating `International Museums Day' under the theme `Museums Building Communities'.

Teixeira said artifacts recently restored will be on display at the Guyana National Museum and an arts exposition will be held at the Museum of African Arts.

Expositions will also be held at the Walter Roth Museum; the Guyanese Heritage Museum, West Coast Demerara; the John Campbell Police Museum; the National Military Museum; The Museum of Village Live; The Linden Museum of History, Arts and Culture and the Rupununi Weavers Museum.

The minister noted that the museum community here has grown over the years because of great involvement at the community level.

"In all the events the focus will be on schools and youth organisations to come out and participate in learning about the exhibits", she noted.

She said the activities will be held throughout this year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Cultural Centre. The facility was opened in May 1976.

The activities include workshops on how to use the stage, use of sound, how to write plays and drama productions and all will be held in the NCC building.

Other activities include a matinee show on May 15 and May 16 which will be performed by pupils of the Abrams Zuil Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast.

The group won the Caribbean Schools Drama Festival last year and will be performing at the NCC for the first time.

Teixeira said the ministry also hopes to commission the new sound system, which cost approximately $23M, at the NCC by May 23 and to have the new lighting system completely installed by July.

She explained that the process was hindered because the technicians from overseas were unable to travel here due to the post-elections disturbances.

"All the activities will focus on improving the quality of the products at the Cultural Centre. The focus of the anniversary will improve the quality of what we do there", she stressed.

Independence Day celebrations will start as usual on May 25 with the flag raising ceremony at the National Park, followed by a band concert at the Botanical Gardens on May 27, Teixeira said.

As part of the Independence Day programme, the National Archives will this year host an exhibition displaying documents relevant to independence.

"That will give people an idea of the historical context as well as to look at some of the ceremonial issues and the celebrations that took place on the day itself."

On May 3, May 5 and May 24, Guyana will be celebrating the 165th anniversary of the arrival of the first Portuguese indentured labourers, the 162nd anniversary of the arrival of the first Indian indentured labourers, and the 159th anniversary of the arrival of the first African indentured labourers, respectively.

Teixeira said that for the first time, the ministry will be hosting an exposition on indentureship on May 21, at the Carifesta Sports Complex, formerly the Guyana National Service Sports Complex in Georgetown.

According to the minister, the aim of the presentation is for Guyanese to have a better understanding of the indentureship period here.

She added that prizes will be given to those wearing the best traditional costumes.

May activities also include the preliminary rounds of the National Chutney Competition.