Godfrey Chin (1936 – 2012 ) and Neil Chan ( 1929 – 2018) represent two important pillars in Guyanese festival arts since the end of World War II in 1945. In the 1950s, Godfrey Chin pioneered the themed costumed bands with such memorable bands as Helen of Troy. By the late 1970s, Neil Chan, a long-time promoter and displayer, was the Convener of the annual Mashramani Costumed Bands and Float parade.
During his tenure, many of the elements of Mash Day were established. In between Chin and Chan and since has been a parade of talented and innovative costumed band designers who have called upon Guyana’s festival arts in creating the memorable and colorful public spectacles of Guyana’s Mashramani. Accompanying the display of color and form of the design and representing the rhythm of the festival is the music. The music is the beat, the puppet strings, the goad, telling its story and that of the bands, integral yet separate.
THE LITERARY HANG
The Symposium is preceded by the Literary Hang, at the same location from 9a.m. to 12noon.
The 2019 symposium invites panels, individual presentations,
photographs, videos and posters to explore and celebrate
these artists, their contributions and legacies.
Presentations may address any of the following areas below. We encourage the illustrated presentation.
• The Festival Arts pre-WWII: A survey of Guyana’s festival arts
(Indigenous, Wata Mama, Tadjah, Dragon Dance, Masquerade, etc.)
• A survey of Guyanese festival arts since World War II (tramping, Festival, Mashramani)
• STEM and the Festival Arts: A survey of recent applications of technology to the festival arts and the enhancement of narrative through demonstration, dramatization or dramatic fusion in any context, including the public sphere and classroom.
• The economics of the festival arts: The Carnivalization of Caribbean festivals at home and abroad.
• Design as a socio historical paradigm in the festival arts
• The place of music, its composition, instrumentation, and narrative in the festival arts
• The festival arts as correlative to the development of nationhood
• The transfer of nostalgia or the evolution of the story
• Flouncing, dance hall, dancing in the streets, difference in the diaspora
• Fantasy, imaginary binaries, the place of home
• The festival as background/foreground a la Black Orpheus, in various forms of literary expression.
• Festival transfer: what is common to festivals in various nations. Does the festival define itself or does it define the people.
Submissions must include complete details particularly in relation to the use of technology and visuals.
Submission date for all proposals: July 15, 2019
