Guyana's Steven Jacobs opens 26th GCA Folk Festival family fun day in Brooklyn
The minister brought greetings from President Irfaan Ali and praised the Guyana Cultural Association for preserving Guyanese culture in the diaspora.
NEW YORK, United States. Steven Jacobs, Guyana's Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, officially opened the Guyana Cultural Association's (GCA) Folk Festival Family Fun Day on September 6 at South Shore High School in Canarsie, Brooklyn.
The event marked the 26th season of the festival. Jacobs congratulated the organisers, calling the showcase the true Guyanese spirit.
"I bring greetings on behalf of His Excellency President of Guyana Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and our government. We will continue to support this event, Guyanese in the diaspora, and Guyanese who journeyed all the way from Georgetown for the festival," he said.
Jacobs, a former cricketer who played for Guyana in West Indies domestic cricket and for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League, praised GCA president Ave Marie Brewster-Haynes and the organisation for 26 years of preserving and advocating for Guyanese culture.
"A global brand"
"Guyana is celebrating 60 years as an independent nation. We have endured so much over those six decades," he said. "Guyana is now a global brand because of everything we are achieving as a nation."
"This large diaspora is engaged with everything that is taking place back home," he added. "Support Guyanese, and we will support you."
Consul General in New York Ambassador Michael E. Brotherson commended GCA for keeping Guyanese culture alive through events such as the festival.
Under the theme Roots, Rhythm and Harmony, executive director Dr Rose October said: "This year it's all about the music. Support Guyanese music." She thanked the government of Guyana for sponsoring performers from Georgetown.
New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud, who represents the 19th district, presented a proclamation honouring GCA on its 26th anniversary.
Music and dance
The organisation paid tribute to the late Clarie Ann Goring, a Guyanese cultural icon and champion of the arts.
Performers included Indigenous dance group Riverside Angels, the X-Factor Dance Group, the Ayong Dance Group and the Berbice Delight Dance group. Singers Geeta Bisram and Dexter M., backed by the Angels Caribbean Band, provided live music.
A libation ceremony and a medley of folk songs with a drum ensemble led by Akoyoa and Jeggae paid tribute to the ancestors. There was also a heritage fashion show by designer Carol Fraser, steel pan from Tirese Thomas and a performance by soca artist Diana Chapman.
