The Republic of Guyana has the unique privilege among Caribbean Caricom nations of being able to celebrate two national days each year – Republic Day which is celebrated carnival style on February 23, and Independence Day celebrated in various other ways on May 26.
It is now the season of Mashramani – the carnivalesque festival which rings in Republic Day, reaching its high point on the national holiday this Tuesday, February 23. This year, however, has a very important difference. On May 26 the country commemorates nationhood in a major and very special way – it is the 50th anniversary of Guyana’s Independence from colonial status; the Golden Jubilee of its transition from being British Guiana,
