Dear Editor,
The idea to shift the Mash parade from its traditional route is not a sensible one when all that is involved is taken into consideration. The Church Street route is a more natural one, and captures an active population. It includes Bourda Market with its vendors and shoppers; populated cross streets with homes accustomed to the Mash day hang and which plan for it with overseas meets; and the wide open Merriman Mall where the cash-strapped city council earns income.
There on the Mall hundreds of vendors set up stalls, and dozens of carpenters pick up a raise putting together stalls for the day. Around the turn every gas station tarmac houses a party mood, and the throng of humanity consuming beverages and barbeque meats adds to the day. This picnic party mood jumps Lamaha Street and persists long after the last float has passed.
There’s no more viable combination than nationalism, stress relief and good commerce.
What is going to replace this? A route from the Stabroek tarmac up Brickdam? On the best of days Brickdam is easily recognised as an avenue of government buildings that lacks the humanity evident in a Regent Street, for example. This tells you that Brickdam is festival sterile, so why opt to sacrifice the selling of ‘Mash’ which the Church Street route has accomplished so impressively with its inclusion of groups that previously shied away from this festival, and lose the showcase appeal of the Camp Street junction, Newtown and Kitty audience, both passing and stationary?
I would urge Mr Scantlebury to rethink this new route; the last Brickdam Jubilee Year route was dismal. Recharge the mood; this is not a cultural or political sacrifice that it is necessary to make now, however the ball is in his court.
Yours faithfully,
Barrington Braithwaite
