Guyanese are renowned for their hospitality and warmth, and a tangible demonstration of this warmth is displayed during the festive season.
This is according to President Bharrat Jagdeo, who stated, on Monday evening, that the warmth of Guyanese has a lot “to do with the nature of our people… and this season has always been dear in our hearts for all Guyanese of all races and all religions.”
Speaking to a small gathering at Rahaman's Park, on Monday evening, President Jagdeo said that Christmas is a time for people to get together, and for families to reunite.
The Head of State was at the time at Rahaman's Park to switch on the lights to illuminate the Christmas tree erected at Houston, Greater Georgetown. He said that Guyana , along with many other countries, is very often measured by its economic and social indicators, but what is missing is a yardstick by which a country's true social statistics could be measured.
“If we were to go by the recent survey done, a World Happiness Index, Guyana would rank more favourably than most of the developed countries in the world, including the United States of America ,” he posited.
According to President Jagdeo, many persons return to Guyana during the festive season to experience “a true Guyanese Christmas.”
He said that the idea to erect the tree at Huston was an “excellent initiative.”
The President pointed out that events of the same nature should be hosted at all of Guyana 's festivals, in an attempt to raise the profile of the country.
Minister of Tourism, Manniram Prashad, in brief remarks, said that the tree lighting event is slated to become an annual feature.