The long-awaited return of the Guyana Festival exploded into life on Friday night as hundreds gathered at the Guyana National Stadium for a vibrant celebration of culture, identity and national pride.
Under the theme “Song, Soul and Taste,” the opening night delivered a spectacular showcase of music, storytelling, dance, cuisine and traditions representing Guyana’s six peoples, marking the festival’s first staging in 12 years.
The festival was officially opened by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Susan Rodrigues through a ceremonial coconut breaking, replacing the traditional ribbon-cutting in a symbolic gesture of unity, culture and shared prosperity.
Addressing the crowd, President Ali said the festival must serve as more than entertainment, describing it as an important tool in building national unity as Guyana prepares to celebrate 60 years of Independence.
“‘One Guyana’ does not erase differences. It transforms difference,” the President declared, adding that “unity is not sameness. Unity is respect for differences. Unity is dignity for all.”
The Head of State reflected on Guyana’s history of ethnic division, arguing that colonialism intentionally created social fractures that modern Guyanese now have a responsibility to heal.
“Colonialism did not leave us divided by accident. It left us divided by design,” he said, while urging citizens to move beyond “the politics of suspicion” and old ethnic divisions.
The President also made a passionate appeal to young people to become the generation that finally achieves genuine national unity.
“You are not responsible for the division of our past, but you hold a responsibility for the unity of our future,” President Ali stated.
Minister Rodrigues described the revival of the festival as a major national initiative aimed at celebrating Guyanese identity while positioning the country as a leading cultural and tourism destination in the Caribbean and beyond.
“This is more than a festival. This is a national statement — a declaration that Guyana is proud of its people, its culture and its identity,” the Minister said.
She explained that the festival was first conceptualised in 2014 during President Ali’s tenure as Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, with the vision of creating a signature national event capable of showcasing the best of Guyana to the world.
Friday night’s opening ceremony featured electrifying performances, immersive cultural presentations and dramatic artistic displays, transforming the stadium into a sea of colour, rhythm and celebration.
The festival continues throughout the weekend with cultural demonstrations, culinary and heritage villages, concerts, amusement attractions and the National Cook-off Competition, before culminating on Sunday evening with the One Guyana Concert featuring local artistes.
Also attending the opening ceremony were First Lady Arya Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, other government ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, government officials and hundreds of patrons from across the country.
