Guyana Chronicle
May 25, 2001

A PACKED programme is scheduled for tonight's traditional flag raising ceremony at the National Park in Georgetown to mark Guyana's 35th independence anniversary celebrations.

Other activities to celebrate this historic milestone in Guyana's history will be held in various parts of the country but the main event will be at the National Park, officials said.

A special committee was set up to formulate the programme of activities of this main event.

The committee comprised members from the Joint Services - the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force along with staff from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Ministry of Education.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Mr Keith Booker, told reporters this week the programme will start at 19:30 hrs and there will be a number of groups including singers and dancers who will be performing on stage, Booker said.

The working programme for tonight is: ** the playing of recorded music from a sound system from 19:30 hrs;

** steel band music by the Republicans from 20:00 hrs;

** live music by the Frontline from 20:20 hrs;

** local music from the Couchman family from 20:45 hrs;

** chutney music by Queen Yasmin at 20:55 hrs;

** steel band music by the Republicans at 21:00 hrs;

** religious entertainment at 21:30 hrs

** musical item by the Police band at 22:00 hrs.

At this point there is the scheduled arrival of special invitees after which the official programme will commence.

There will be a guard of honour and march by members of the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force at 22:10 hrs.

Prime Minister Sam Hinds is to arrive at the National Park at 22:20 hrs followed by the arrival of President Bharrat Jagdeo at 22:25 hrs.

There will be songs by the Couchman daughters at 22:30 hrs; a dance item by the members of the National Dance School at 22:38 hrs; and live music by Code Red at 22:53 hrs; and songs by students of West Ruimveldt School at 23:00 hrs.

This will be followed by a religious item at 23:05 hrs; chutney music by Queen Yasmin at 23;15 hrs; calypso by the Tempest at 23;20 hrs followed by live music by First Born at 23:25 hrs.

President Jagdeo will deliver his Presidential address to the nation at 23:35 hrs.

This will be followed by the `Guard of honour marches on' by the GDF/GPF at 23:55 hrs.

The Golden Arrowhead will be raised at midnight.

Members of the GDF who would have journeyed to the top of Mount Ayanganna to hoist the national flag at the same time (midnight) will also be communicating live via satellite transmission to those in the National Park, Booker said.

The programme will continue with prayers, the National Pledge, the singing of the National Anthem and fireworks display, he said.

Police yesterday said that for the ceremony, Albert Street from Woolford Avenue would be closed to traffic from 18:00 hrs (6 p.m.)

Thomas Street would closed to eastbound traffic from Camp Street from the same time, Police said.