Guyana Folk Festival Awards 2007

An evening of elegance, ceremony and tradition, the 2007 Guyana Cultural Association/Guyana Folk Festival Awards Ceremony was indeed a salute to twelve outstanding Guyanese contributed to the country's cultural development. Against the backdrop of African drums the honorees were introduced and participated in an invocation which included prayers by Pandit Suresh Sugrim and Imam Ahmad Hamid with libations to the Creator and our African ancestors, by Menes De Griot.

As the honorees were celebrated, the capacity audience gave a standing ovation to poet and political lyricist Eusi Kwayana who many came specially to honor and show their respect and appreciation for his years of service to Guyana. Also celebrated were recipients of the GCA Exemplary Award, E.R. Braithwaite, Lifetime Achievement Awardee Ivan Van Sertima, cultural enabler Brindley Horatio Benn Snr., entrepreneur, cultural enabler Vibert Bernard, stage and screen entertainer, broadcaster Cy Grant, master drummer Menes De Griot, writer, literary critic Petamber Persaud, calypsonian, Mighty Rebel (Geoffrey Phillips), spoken word folklorist Pauline Thomas, musicians The Paul Brothers, child and youth development awardees, Tots and Teens in Focus.

The evening concluded with a reception and entertainment by the Paul Brothers, Winston "Jeggae" Hoppie, Hilton Hemerding and Akoyah Rudder, and Menes De Griot and his group.

The Guyana Cultural Association of New York announces its 2007 annual Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Awards. The Guyana Cultural Association Award and The Guyana Cultural Association Lifetime Achievement Award are reserved for presentation to Guyanese nationals. The Guyana Cultural Association Exemplary Award is offered to any individual or entity. These Awards recognize the achievements of individuals in cultural development. We also acknowledge the accomplishments of a business leader and an organization in child and youth development.

Ivan Van Sertima – Lifetime Achievement Award
E.R. Braithwaite – Exemplary Award
Brindley Horatio Benn, Snr. – Cultural Enabler
Vibert Bernard – Entrepreneur, Cultural Enabler
Cy Grant – Stage & Screen Entertainer, Broadcaster
Menes De Groit – African Drummer, Herbalist
Eusi Kwayana – Poet, Political Lyricist
Petamber Persaud – Writer, Literary Critic
Geoffrey Phillips – Mighty Rebel – Calypsonian
Pauline Thomas – Spoken Word Folklorist
The Paul Brothers – Musicians
Tots & Teens In Focus – Child & Youth Development

See short Biographies here

All honorees are selected through an open process of call for nominations from the Guyanese Diaspora and must have demonstrated by their individual or organizational action a sense of purpose in promoting Guyanese creativity. A selection committee evaluated each nomination considering seven criteria: originality, scope, impact / influence, integration, pioneering spirit, challenges and achievements.

Every Awardee's work met a distinction considered an exemplary model that can inspire others. Each contribution has impacted cultural attributes that Guyanese admire, honor, or preserve.

Attendance at the Award Ceremony on August 29, 2007 at the Rotunda of the Brooklyn Borough Hall, New York is by invitation. If you have an enquiry about Folk Festival events you can call 718 209 5207 or send an email to info@guyfolkfest.org or visit us on the web at www.guyfolkfest.org

Ronald H. Lammy, Tangerine Clarke
Co-Chairs Awards Committee.

The intrinsic value of a common culture to the well-being of a society is widely accepted. One or more cultural elements can act as the bond that keeps a politically divided country whole. Guyana, although a young country, has the good fortune of cultural depth that manifests itself through, for example, the visual and performing arts, cuisine, and the writings of its poets and authors. Educators, cultural visionaries and enablers support each facet.

In 2007, the year of Guyana’s 41st independence anniversary; the bicentennial of the abolition of the trade in African captives; and the Folk Festival’s theme of Oii - Origins, Identity and Influence, we salute outstanding Guyanese in these fields. They have contributed to the country’s cultural development and we are grateful.

Our honorees cover a broad range of achievement and several decades of accomplishment. A common feature among the group is their individual scope of endeavors. Their cultural impact was not their only field. Our Calypsonian is a businessman. Our anthropologist is a writer and linguist. Our educator/diplomat is a writer whose work was made into a movie and acclaimed globally. Our WW II aviator was a theatre and screen actor in the 1950s and broadcaster. Our former Deputy Premier is a cultural visionary and enabler. Our entrepreneur is a cultural enabler. Our spoken word folklorist was a teacher. Our political lyricist is a poet and singer. Our family group musicians and our herbalist enjoy other diverse careers too. Our writer, literary critic is a television producer and book publisher.

And we know that any adult who dedicates her time to molding the positive development of children must be functioning in many capacities. Mothering is a primary one. We salute them all for their service and making us proud to be Guyanese.

Ronald H. Lammy,
Co-Chair, Awards Committee