All systems go for Mash - Teixeira
All systems are in place for this year's Mashramani Costume Band and Float Parade although many bands are still working feverishly to complete their ensembles for Mash players amidst indications that this year's show will surpass previous events. Some 40 bands will take to the streets tomorrow along the Mash route in competitive revelry, including a large party from the People's National Congress (PNC) and a 150-member band from neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago. The Trinidadians began arriving here Saturday. Briefing the media at a press conference yesterday on the countdown to February 23, which marks the country's 30th republic anniversary, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Gail Teixeira gave the assurance that in spite of the rainy weather, the meteorological experts have forecast a sunny day on Mash Day. She was flanked at the press briefing at the Guyana Television Broadcasting (GTV) Studios on Homestretch Avenue by coordinator of Courts Furniture Store's band, Len Corsbie, Bishop Juan Edgehill of Outreach International, convenor of the Children's Mashramani Competitions, Desiree Wyles-Ogle and coordinator of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports band, Michael Khan. The band from the Ministry of Culture will lead the parade which is scheduled to move off from the corner of Camp and Church Streets at 10:00 hrs. The ministry's costumes are being made by the teachers and students of the Burrowes School of Art and the National School of Dance. Their revellers will be moving to the sub-theme `Spirits in Unity' which, according to Khan, is philosophical in outlook. The spirits, Khan said, depict the ancestral and folk spirits like the ol' higue and massacurraman, while the present is featured in Guyana's cultural heritage and the future is represented by unity, citizenship and achievement. To the students of the Burrowes School of Art the activity is not only fun and frolic but the teaching of the basics in design, Khan noted. Giving a brief description of the religious community's entry, Bishop Edgehill said that the three-pronged contingent will be "praising" under the sub-theme `We Mashing as one Kingdom Style'. The first section will comprise some 50 dancers who have been training for a number of weeks; a group of singers will make up the second group, and the third lot will be "praisers", not revellers. Asked about the religious organisation's participation in the Mash day festivity, Edgehill said that the church had been looking at the event for some time while seeking the courage and resources to take part. While the resources are still not there, the church has found the courage and intends by its participation to set its own standards. The church, he said, sees Mashramani as an active and vital part of the nation. Corsbie speaking about Courts' participation this year said that the contingent will be small but hinted that the company may go with a bigger band next year. Courts submitted the winning entry in this year's King of the Band Competition staged at the National Park on Saturday. Saturday night was also billed "Mash Night" when the Calypso and Soca competitions were held. Questioned as to why the PNC was not invited to be part of the national Mashramani committee, Teixeira said that since no political party had responded to government's invitation to assist in organising Mashramani activities in early 1998, no political party was invited last year nor this year. She said that this decision was also in keeping with the concept that the event should be taken over by the private sector and the people. At present she said that government is still playing a major role but as soon as the private sector was ready, government will be willing to hand it over. She noted that the PNC has indicated that its band which is entered in the large bands category will be moving off from the Church and Camp Street starting point. However, there is an indication that the PNC's band will not enter the National Park but will proceed to its headquarters at Sophia. Over the past two years the PNC has diverted from the usual Mash route and in 1998 had swung the crowd of revellers into Sophia leaving the parade almost depleted of revellers. Using the forum to express thanks to those who participated in the Children's Mashramani Competitions and the Children's Fernleaf Road March, Wyles-Ogle said that teachers and children were anxious to get the show on the road in spite of the rain. She deemed it a success and the largest of the six annual road marches. Wyles-Ogle has served as convenor of the road marches from its inception. This evening the PNC will host a flag-raising ceremony at the Square of the Revolution and tomorrow at 7:00 am the Golden Arrowhead will be hoisted in the compound of Parliament Buildings.
|