Students of Impressions Dance Theater in the fi nal presentation of an exciting Mashramani party that commemorated
Guyana’s Jubilee Anniversary, at the Founders Auditorium at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Mashramani at 50 comes to
Brooklyn in colorful splendor
Caribbean L 8 ife, March 6-12, 2020
By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Sen. Roxanne Persaud
says she will be collaborating with
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and
community partners in hosting a
Merchants’ Roundtable on March 11.
The Guyanese-born Persaud, who
represents the 19th Senatorial District
in Brooklyn, said on Tuesday
that the roundtable will be held from
9:30 am – 11:00 am in the Capital
One Bank, 1425 Rockaway Parkway,
Brooklyn.
Persaud, chair of the New York
Senate Social Service Committee,
discussions will surround improvements
to the Rockaway Parkway
Business Corridor.
“This event strives to improve
partnerships amongst area merchants,
assist in local business owners’
inquiries, and provide tools and
support for further economic development
along Rockaway Parkway,”
she said.
As space is limited, Persaud is
requesting local merchants to contact
her community liaison, Jennifer
Viechweg-Horsford, at (718)
649-7653, or email her at horsford@
nysenate.gov, to reserve seats.
By Tangerine Clarke
Mashramani lived up to its true
meaning from the Arawak Indigenous
language — celebration after hard
work. This was clear when scores of
performers, costume clad revelers and
musicians, commanded Founders Auditorium
stage, at Medgar Evers College
to celebrate 50 years of cultural splendor.
More than 400 Guyanese Diasporans
from every race, creed, and religion,
joined this festival which started on
Feb. 23, 1970, and honored on Feb. 23,
2020 in Brooklyn,
NYPD Officers Kyhume Khan and
Wendell Seymore, presented the American
and Guyana flags, followed by the
national anthems, to open the celebration
under the patronage of Barbara
Atherly, consul general of Guyana to
New York, and Guyanese in the Diaspora,
Inc. with the support of the Guyana
Cultural Association, New York.
Guyana United We Love; was befitting
the togetherness that summarized
– Guyanese, decked out in national
dress.
“We honor, the tradition of Mashramani,
as we showcase Guyana’s rich
cultural heritage. I assure you that the
talent you will experience here tonight,
will prove that apart from Guyana’s
bounty of natural resources and beauty,
our true wealth lies within our people,”
said Atherly.
Under the 50th Golden Jubilee theme
“Guyana Together – Celebrate, Reflect,
Transform,” CG Atherly assured that
there was much to celebrate and much
more to anticipate in the future. “I urge
everyone to take this opportunity, to
reflect on our fight for freedom and
independence through slavery indentureship,
and colonialism,” said the
consul general while recalling Guyana’s
path to independence.
The diplomat then congratulated
Cultural Ambassador, Claire A. Goring
and political activist Mark Benschop
on being honored by President David A.
Granger with the Medal of Service, in
commemoration of the Golden Jubilee.
In excerpts from his video message,
the head-of-state described the Republic’s
celebration as an auspicious event
of enormous significance to Guyanese
at home, and in the diaspora, adding,
“the Golden Jubilee evoked feelings of
national pride.”
“The Republic expresses its appreciation
to members of the diaspora for
their continued interest and contribution
to national development, as the
Coalition continues to engage them on
matters of national importance, recognizing
the integral role they play in
supporting our nation’s quest for prosperity
and development,” said President
Granger.
The infectious enjoyment spread
throughout the standing room only
auditorium, where every exciting
minute of the spectacular cultural presentation,
echoed with Guyana, as flags
were waved in uniformity.
Resolutions from New York State
Senator, Roxanne Persaud and Senator
Brian A. Benjamin, State Senator
for District 30, in the Bronx, and
Britnee Timberlake, 34th Legislative
District in the New Jersey General
Assembly, handed over by Lady Ira
Lewis, were presented to Consul General
Hon. Barbara Atherly.
Accomplished, brilliant performers
brought back memories of the good
old days. Gavin Mendonca, thrilled
with beloved folk songs, “Itaname”
and “Small Days,” before Indigenous
dancer (“Queen B”), Dion Glasgow,
showed her motion with the Matapee
song dance, followed by Erwin “Flantis”
Edward, who revved up the crowd with
Soca music.
A portrait of Guyana and Legend
of Kaieteur, brought rich depiction to
life, in dance, drama, narration, and
music, that showcased Guyana’s six
races of peoples, Makonaima — Amerindian
ancestors, and Boom, Kittle &
Fire-African Ancestors, in an illustrious
production, showcasing sensational
International Dancer, Zaman, students
of Impressions Dance Theater,
and young dancers Sapphire & Zephyra
Rose-Wagner.
The colorful splendor of the Guyanese
culture on stage during the end
of an epic mash in celebration of the
nation’s 50th Republic Mashramani
Anniversary at Medgar Evers College.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Merchants’
Roundtable
in Brooklyn
Brooklyn Sen. Roxanne Persaud.
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