Hundreds turned out to celebrate Emancipation despite bad weather.

Georgetown : Guyanese from all walks of life braved the inclement weather yesterday and joined in the celebration of the 173rd Emancipation Anniversary at the National Park.

The activities there were organized by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA). President Bharrat Jagdeo was part of a Government contingent and he told the Government Information Agency that Africans’ contributions towards  Guyana was significant and had it not been for them Guyana would not have been freed.
“These are national celebrations, although they have their origin but today they are part of Guyana and once we are children of Guyana this is part of our culture regardless of where our ancestors came from,” the President said.

 
Among the activities were songs, dances, poems and different forms of African drumming. There were also several booths displaying other aspects of African culture such as food, clothing and craft.