Our main intention in 2008 was to honor those who are respected in their local community or field, either in Guyana or abroad. We were keen on giving recognition to those who may have had a low media profile but whose contribution have been substantial and consistent with our theme “Caribbean People in Harmony through Culture”. We attained our objectives with the former president of Guyana and twelve compatriots.

Forbes Burnham through his leadership in the arts – vision followed by appropriate action – was eloquent in word and deed. He fostered an affiliative atmosphere through the thrust and presentation of Carifesta 1972. It built new bonds and reinforced existing ones thus creating and enhancing regional harmony through the arts.

The first Carifesta was a social investment that worked; people received tangible benefits in the arts and other economic activity. Guyanese were prepared for the future as evident by the scores, if not hundreds, of professionals at high levels in the arts and academia today. Festival City stands as a proud legacy of Carifesta ’72 and President Burnham’s insightful leadership.

The other honorees represent the post Carifesta impact. Excellence in defining indigenous arts is the hallmark of Dr. Gordon Rohlehr, Emeritus Professor of Literature, University of the West Indies . Literally he has spent a lifetime in explicating our commonality across the West Indies.

Similarly, when we look at the contributions of every one of our honorees we see in their work shining examples of what is the best in our culture. They are exemplars in their individual dimension. We thank them sincerely for their generosity in sharing their talents and resources with us.

Ronald H. Lammy,
Co-Chair, Awards Committee

13 Honored at GCA Awards 2008

“Caribbean People in Harmony Through Culture”
by Tangerine Clarke

The colorfully decorated Union Temple Hall in Brooklyn captured the essence of Carifesta, under whose banner the Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival kicked off its season with a gala awards presentation that honored 13 Guyanese with the 2008 Guyana Cultural Association Awards and the Guyana Cultural Association Wordsworth McAndrew Awards.

The Sunday, June 22, event honored : Sammy Baksh, singer; Tangerine Clarke, journalist; (Cultural Enabler); Impressions Dance Theatre Inc., (Dance, Youth Award); Dr. Evelyn R. John, (singer, Cultural Enabler); Avis Joseph, (Musicologist); Laparkan Trading Ltd. (Business, Cultural Enabler); Bill ‘Crooner’ Newman, (singer, Composer); Ivor Thom, (sculptor) and Sir Ian Valz, (playwright, actor).

Themed, Caribbean People in Harmony Through Culture, the organization also recognized the hosting of Carifesta in Guyana and Caribbean Heritage month, with the GCA Caribbean Award. Designed by sculptor Ivor Thom, this award was presented posthumously to former President of Guyana, the Hon. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnhman, who facilitated the first Carifesta in Guyana in 1972.

Richard Van West Charles Jr., grandson of the former President, was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the family and his grandfather.

The Jonathon Locke designed Life-time Achievement Award, went to Dr. Gordon Rohlehr, who pioneered the academic and the intellectual study of calypso and the calypsonian, tracing its history over several centuries.

The Exemplary Award was presented to folklorist Roy Brummell, who took folklore to the people in his radio program, "Ganga Time" and "Heroes." And who like his friend Wordsworth McAndrew, traveled the countryside of Guyana interviewing pork-knockers and farmers.

The Entrepreneur, Cultural Support Award, went to Laparkan Trading Inc, while Impressions Dance Theatre, received the Child Development honor.

Council Member, Dr. Mathieu Eugene, lauded the honorees for their outstanding work in the community, before presenting them with City Council Citations. Also on hand to present the honorees with their awards, was Haitian Council General to New York, the Honorable Felix Augustine.

President of GCA, Malcolm Hall, congratulated the honorees, saying. "We are grateful for those who nominated our awardees and applaud the recipients and their families." He added, " Today, here in New York, we experience the joy of celebrating some of the legacies of the past festivals, and the contributions of those who helped to pioneer its development, and those who sustain it through their work."

Hall reminded the expatriates that, "we have brought our culture with us and true it is now marbled by our experiences in the world outside of Guyana. Nevertheless," he added, "it is recognizable and proudly Guyanese. 

The organization planned a dynamic program that began with a procession of the honorees, before an invocation, the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by High School graduate Taylor Lewis, and the Guyana National Anthem, sung by members of the diverse audience accompanied by musician Hilton Hemerding.

Members of the Guyanese, Grenadian, Barbadian, Haitian, Vincentian and Trinidad and Tobago communities, represented the blending of cultures, fueling the audience to enjoy an evening of vivacious dance by Impressions Theatre and the Nritya Kala Kendra dance school, comedic drama by the Caribbean Cultural Theatre, and a tribute to the late Wordsworth McAndrew’s poem, ‘Ole Higue,’ by Chuck Gerard.

Poet James Richmond, and Akoya Rudder collaborated in a drum and poetry mix that spurred loud applause from the audience.

Emcee Kishore Megnaugh did a magnificent job in guiding the four-hour program that included a cultural presentation titled, A Taste of Carifesta in New York, that highlighted the festival’s return to Guyana from August 22 to 31.

Members of the organization all played parts in the success of the awards presentation. Claire Patterson-Monah who acknowledged the special invited guests, Rose October-Edun, Co-host, and Dr. Juliet Emanuel for the vote of thanks.

Other members of GCA present included, Cultural Director, Claire Goring, Donna Fleming, Ashton Franklin, Muriel Glasgow, Pearl Miles, Edger Henry, and Edward Meertins-George. Maurice Braithwaite was the stage manager of the evening’s program.

GCA thanks presenters, Councilmember Sandra Harte, Roy Singh and Rodrick Daley, as well as the Contemporary Dance Theatre of Medgar Evers College, Janelle Braithwaite, Isaiah Springer, Sammy Baksh and Derek Noel.