Photos and interviews by Sara Bharrat
GuyExpo, Guyana’s largest trade fair, began on October 1 and ended on October 6. Last week we asked exhibitors about their GuyExpo experience. On the last day of GuyExpo we asked high school students who visited the trade fair what they thought about it, whether they’d attended before and what they’d learnt.
Andy Cummings, Belladrum Secondary:
‘GuyExpo isn’t so bad this year but many of the booths we’ve visited today were not being monitored. My friends were saying earlier that they thought GuyExpo is bad this year but I don’t agree with them. Many of the exhibitors refused to let us enter their booths and I guess that’s why many of my friends were upset. The most interesting booth for me has been the Ministry of Health’s booth. They had up some very informative posters and I was a little surprised to learn that alcohol had more than three damaging effects on the body. I’m here today with a group of fifth form students from my school and I find that while GuyExpo isn’t so bad this year it is a little laid back compared to previous years. I’m not sure if there are more or less booths this year.’
Malissa Persaud, Covent Garden Secondary:
‘I think interesting is the word I would use to describe GuyExpo. I’ve learnt quite a few things since I got here this afternoon. My friends and I stopped at the Bank of Guyana booth and they taught us there how to identify counterfeit money. This is my first time at GuyExpo and I am excited to be here. I’ll definitely be coming to GuyExpo next year.’
Royston Fraser, Sophia Training Centre:
‘Some of the things I am seeing here at GuyExpo I’ve never seen before. I find the whole experience of being here very interesting. I attended GuyExpo twice before and honestly speaking when compared to the Carifesta exhibition last year, this year’s GuyExpo really should be considered below standard. While some of the things on display have caught my interest I am just not getting the same feeling of excitement like before.’
Sarah Prashad, North Georgetown Secondary:
‘GuyExpo is kind of fun for me. I’m gaining a lot of knowledge just by walking from booth to booth and most of what I’m seeing and hearing is interesting as well as educating. To tell you the truth I am very happy to be here because it’s one of the events I usually look forward to. I can’t find words to tell you how I feel. I was at the last GuyExpo in 2007 and it was better in terms of population. They had more booths then and the organization was clearly better. I’ve noticed this year that there are less foreign booths.’
Alista Benjamin, Sophia Training Centre:
‘This year GuyExpo is great but 2007 was bigger and brighter. It definitely saw more people and had more booths. Nevertheless I am enjoying GuyExpo this year and I normally check out what the banks and GT&T have to offer. I’ve been studying IT and Office Administration hence my interest in those particular areas. I always like the things or services being displayed or presented. For me GuyExpo is all about hanging out and relaxing. It’s a Guyanese thing and I will continue to support it.’
Sunil Singh, St. John’s College:
‘I’m sure many people have already used the word interesting to describe GuyExpo but that’s the best word I can find too. GuyExpo is very interesting. The hotspot for me today was the benab where the Amerindian people had their things on display. The cassava bread and fly as well as the various handcrafted items grabbed my attention more than anything else I’ve seen at GuyExpo. My father works in the interior regions and he sometimes takes me to visit villages with him so I’ve always been fascinated with Amerindians and their culture. I love the food, the drinks and the craft. I’m happy GuyExpo brings all of this to Georgetown and I think it has gotten brighter this year.’
Timesha Morrison, Belladrum Secondary:
‘I think GuyExpo is nice. When I say nice I mean I like what I see around me and I’m enjoying it. This is my first time at GuyExpo and I wasn’t so sure what to expect. I’m here with a group from school and while I’ve seen many things I enjoy I am a bit put out that many of the exhibitors did not allow us into their booths. I bought a cute purse and I enjoyed the furniture displayed by some local companies. I couldn’t believe that such good things were made right here in Guyana.’
Shiekete Scott, Glory Light Academy:
‘I am finding GuyExpo very educating and am enjoying myself. I’ve seen many booths with different displays and I am proud to say that many of the local things were unique and original. The products available have all been modernized. I learnt how to make a chair today and was taught about the many different types of wood. I think GuyExpo should be more than six days and it is the ideal place for young people to be. There is so much here for them to be exposed to and to learn about.’
Kevin Hohenkirk, St. John’s College:
‘I think GuyExpo is a good blend of fun and education. I think that more people from the hinterland should be encouraged to participate in GuyExpo because I found it really amazing to see the things the Amerindians had on display. I got my first real blast of Amerindian culture and I’m happy I came to GuyExpo to see it because it’s not something the average Guyanese sees every day. Sadly, although I’m able to see the value of GuyExpo I was very disappointed this year. I wanted to see more local craft and more booths. I was here in 2007 and I can tell you that this year there are fewer booths. A lot of the things here can be found on an extended walk around Georgetown and a drive through Demerara. I was hoping to see more things from areas hard to access. GuyExpo did not meet my expectations this year.’
Nadine Inniss, Marian Academy:
‘I’m enjoying myself at GuyExpo with my mom. It’s an interesting experience to walk from booth to booth and see the unique displays they have there for our benefit. This is not my first GuyExpo and this year is almost like the others. I liked most of the booths I visited but I don’t have a favourite.’
