21 May, 2017
by Dennis Waithe
In commemoration of Guyana’s 51st year of independence and Canada’s 150th birthday, a Guyana Day event took place on May 21, 2017 in the Horticultural Pavilion, in Lansdowne Urban Park. It was a day specifically designed to showcase Guyana and it was full of fun for the more than 5,000 people who passed through the pavilion gates, despite the threat of inclement weather. Participants included Guyanese as well as other Caribbean nationals living in the diaspora, complemented by Canadians in general. The presence and participation of Guyanese and others from as far away as Montreal and Toronto was particularly significant and noteworthy.
This event was a reflection of this year’s “Canada Welcomes the World” menu of activities spearheaded and facilitated by the City of Ottawa, and led by the Office of the High Commissioner of Guyana to Canada supported by diaspora community organizations and sponsors. The theme of our Guyana Day program was “Enhancing awareness of Guyana in Canada’s Sesquicentennial Year”.
Most of the people who attended this event underscored the success of the program with the main highlights being an entertaining exposition of Guyanese culture along with displays depicting some of its products as well as tourism and trade potential. There were also on display several pieces of arts and craft and literary material. A number of interactive activities geared to attract and excite the kids were put in place, all in a family friendly environment.
The “Cultural Explosion” featured a wide array of performances, underlying our rich cultural diversity. Out of Toronto, the program featured Faith Amour who wowed the audience with her wonderful rendition of the Guyanese and Canadian national anthems as well as some classic jazz pieces. Just as delightful was Bill “the Crooner” Newman who wowed the crowd with a string of Guyanese and socially-laced lyrics, singing about the types of remedies Guyanese use to deal with health issues as well as the apparent tendencies of our women folk to amuse the mind with the type of things they carry around in their purses.
As well, Mumtaz Ali and Omesh Singh and his wave band, both out of Toronto, thrilled the audience with their performance of dances and songs respectively. Mumtaz, a fairly regular performer in Ottawa did not disappoint and the wave band was indeed spectacular.
One of the biggest highlights of the day was the songs and dances performed by Amerindian dancers who came all the way from Guyana. They held the crowd in suspense as they displayed highly rhythmic and pulsating performances.
Indian dancers from Ottawa also performed highly appreciative set pieces. Not to be outdone, an Ottawa choir, led by Valerie London, performed a series of Guyanese folks songs and a national song (Lets Cooperate for Guyana), all of which received rave reviews. This group really exemplified the high quality of the performances on Guyana Day. Variety was the order of the day. Displays of several pieces of art and craft proved to be a spectator’s delight. Over 30 pieces were on show, depicting all forms of Guyanese life as well as pictures of renowned places and people.
Spicing things up was a wide variety of Guyanese dishes and delights as well as a rum tasting booth featuring several blends of Guyanese El Dorado flavors. Information on possible investment opportunities in Guyana, specifically in the areas of tourism and trade, was also readily available throughout the day.
A number of interactive activities geared specifically for children, including story telling, face painting and bouncy castle, all in a family-friendly environment, were thoroughly enjoyed by the kids. In summary, this was a day to remember. In terms of time and scope, for Guyanese living in Ottawa, this was one of rare occasions when they could have celebrated their culture in such a wonderful and grand style. And, indeed, to all the sponsors, people and organizations that worked to make this happen, they all deserve a big beautiful bouquet.
About the writer
Dennis Waithe is the Vice President of the Guyana Ottawa Association.
Photo credit: Debbie Miller
Words cannot express how proud I was of my”dear land of Guyana’ and it’s people. It was truly an amazing day of a display of a rich heritage, a truly diverse culture. I feel so blessed.