Guyana’s rich and diverse culture were put on show during President Irfaan Ali’s inauguration, where singer Jackie Jaxx was among the highlights.
However, the event, hosted at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) yesterday morning, saw an estimated 700 persons in attendance, despite restrictions in place against large gatherings due to COVID-19.
A glamorous red carpet guided the attendees to the NCC’s doors, where temperature checks were conducted before ushers guided persons to their seats.
The ceremony began mere moments after Ali and First Lady Arya Ali were seated on the stage of the NCC, which soon saw performances of national songs by the Guyana Police Force’s Military Band. But it was singer Jaxx who later set the tone with an emotional number that spoke of the country’s beauty. Jaxx seemed to exude immense pride and elation in her performance when she sang about the unity of Guyanese who carry on the liberty which was fought for by our forefathers.
There were also performances by the X Factor dance company, students of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, attached to the High Commission of India to Guyana, and members of the Pakuri Cultural Troupe of St. Cuthbert’s Mission who performed a variety of dances.
The ceremony also saw a powerful performance by a student of Queen’s College. Performing “Our history, Our hope” by Kyhreem Bacchus, of Annandale Secondary School, Nikhil Sankar surprised the audience with his charismatic delivery of the poem, which speaks about the future of the country being in the hands of the people living in it now. It speaks of how the unity of the diverse people is the way forward:
“With waving hands and without a row. We are 6 peoples coming together And we must not fall apart We cannot let chaos make its way to our hearts We cannot let ignorance spread itself – we are too smart.”
Despite Ali himself describing COVID-19 as “dreaded and dreadful” during his inauguration address, the event did not adhere to COVID-19 precautionary measures.
All invitees were required to wear their masks throughout the entire inauguration and were constantly encouraged or reminded to keep them on. However, apart from temperature checks upon entering and mask wearing, not much else was enforced. While there was a sanitising area for persons to wash their hands with soap and water, it was not a requirement as it was not enforced, while alcohol-based sanitizing of hands was not done at the door either.
The seating arrangements also did not facilitate social distancing. While some rows had persons seated in every other seat, most of the rows were filled.
To ensure all that were invited could see the ceremony, there was also a tent set up at the side of the building. There many persons sat and viewed a projection of the inauguration ceremony.
