This evening's awards ceremony coincides with the observance of Guyana's independence anniversary and will be preceded by a barbecue picnic involving Guyanese and Barbadian friends of Guyana.

Some 11 Guyana-born Guyanese, now either citizens or holders of immigrant status of their adopted homeland are to be officially recognised at a dinner-awards ceremony organised by the Guyana Consul in Barbados, Norman Faria, himself a Barbadian by birth whose father was a Guyanese.

Today's event is the first of its kind in the Caribbean Community, although there are various "friendship" and "cultural" associations/organisations with a blend of nationals of several CARICOM states here and elsewhere in the region.

The awards ceremony follows similar initiatives earlier by Guyana's diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom and Canada, and is expected to be repeated every three years in Barbados.

The awardees include some well known names in Guyana and Barbados as well as in other parts of the Caribbean. The list covers a wide field, including health, arts and craft, business, social welfare, construction and agricultural workers.

Among them are leading business and cultural personalities like Cecil deCaires, Chairman of Life of Barbados, one of the leading corporate interests in the insurance sector, and Karl Broodhagen, famous sculptor, whose most recent work includes a joint effort with his son, Virgil, in the just established life-size statue of cricket legend Garfield Sobers.

Other awardees include Dr. Elizabeth Ferdinand, a specialist in public health with the Ministry of Health, seconded to the Barbados office of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), retired nurse Doreen Boyce, the well-known retired broadcast journalist and philanthropist, 'Auntie' Olga Lopes-Seale, now also a household name in Barbados for her work in helping needy children; and a hotel manager, Leena Mansingh-Hyland.

Among them too are a plantation supervisor, Karan Persaud, Elsie Young, another well known community worker, Basdeo Samaroo, baker, small businessman Rohit Sugrim, and Derry Etkins, music teacher.

In an editorial yesterday welcoming this initiative in what it hailed as "They are nation-builders too", the 'Saturday Sun' of Barbados said:

"It is not easy to single out those who have made outstanding contributions, but two occurrences of recent memory -- the Life of Barbados take-over bid (a battle involving big corporate interests in the region's insurance business) and the erection of Sir Garfield Sobers Statute -- have caused two sons of Guyana from the list to be easily recognised."

"We refer", said the 'Sun', "to Cecil deCaires, chairman of LOB and the holder of Barbados's second highest honour, the Companion of Honour; and Karl Broodhagen, art teacher and sculptor who holds the third highest national honour, the Gold Crown of Merit"

The newspaper also lamented what it described as "some very fickle Barbadians" who are quick to make "very silly comments about Guyanese who live on this island".

The "take-off point in ridicule" by such Barbadians, as noted by the `Sun', is largely as a result of the economic circumstances which have forced thousands in recent years to relocate here and elsewhere..."

This weekend's event, however, will go a long way in "wiping away that nonsense", said the newspaper, adding: "It will put in proper perspective the value added to this society not only at the highest levels like deCaires and the Broodhagens, but in construction where some highly skilled Guyanese have quietly come to the rescue of building firms during our years of the building boom."

The `Sun' said it was pleased to "applaud this initiative of the Guyana Consul, Norman Faria, and congratulate all those 'Guyanese-Barbadians' who are being honoured, and who have made this country a better, richer, stronger and happier place in which to live, to do business and to raise families".

In an earlier editorial last week, the sister paper of the 'Sun' had editorially hailed the awards ceremony as a show of our Caribbean "oneness".

Education Minister Jeffrey will address the event on behalf of the Guyana Government and help in the presentation of trophies and other awards.