Marceano Photograph
The attractively decorated Christmas Tree at Rahaman’s Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was on Sunday evening lit with much fanfare to welcome the Christmas festivities.
Spectators and participants were addressed by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walron who urged the pursuance of peace, generosity and acceptance this Christmas season.
“The genesis of Christmas is the celebration of peace, goodwill and the love for humankind, & we find ourselves as a nation, that we are bombarded by hateful divisive rhetoric and I urge us once again to think of who we are as Guyanese,” she noted, explaining and Guyanese need to be more accepting of each other in order to eliminate the divisions that are being sowed by some.
“Christmas affords us the opportunity to return, return to the principles we know that just makes us better, return to the brotherhood, to being your brothers’ keeper, return to helping the down-trodden, returning to love which dispels all of the hate, returning to helping each other, returning to peace, returning to acceptance which dispels judgement of eachother,” Minister Walrond said.
This year marks the 17th light up of the Christmas Tree and was sponsored by a number private sector companies along the Tourism Ministry.
The ceremony saw performances and entertainment from a number of local artistes and groups.
As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, Minister Walrond urged persons not to become weary but have hope.
Minister Walrond was joined by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat at the event.
Attendees were treated to steelpan music, Christmas carols and many other performances by Guyanese artistes.
This year’s lighting up did not see the traditional large gathering owing to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic.
The Christmas Tree over the years often came down way before its time due to accidents and other issues which would force sponsors to hurriedly have it re-erected to give that Christmas feel to motorists and other road users.