–Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport
Mashramani continues to play a major role in developing Guyana’s creative sector and expanding the country’s orange economy.
So says the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, who contends that this year’s Mashramani celebration was of the most successful in Guyana.
“People like to measure the crowds. That’s important, but that’s not the most important in the sea as far as I’m concerned. As far as I’m concerned, what is extremely important is the artistry, the creativity, the innovation,” the minister said.
Ramson explained that funds were made available earlier to designers and artists, giving them more time to source materials and create higher quality pieces for the festival.
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, is calling on the private sector to play a bigger role in supporting the national event.
He noted that the government invested more than $200 million into Mashramani this year and believes corporate Guyana should also contribute to its growth.
“But we want to make sure that corporate Guyana, because they benefit significantly from Mashramani, and we want them to embrace Mashramani and work with the Ministry of Culture so that we can take it to another level,” Minister Jacobs stated.
The ministry says it will continue working to create opportunities for local artists and help promote Guyanese culture both locally and across the diaspora. The winners of the different competitions held during the Mashramani celebration period were awarded for their outstanding performances.