As Guyana marks the start of celebrations for its 60th Independence Anniversary, President Dr Irfaan Ali has urged citizens to embrace unity, diversity and national pride, stressing that culture must remain central to the country’s development and future progress.
The Head of State delivered the keynote address on Friday evening at the grand opening of the Guyana Festival 2026 at the Guyana National Stadium. The festival, returning after a 12-year hiatus, is being staged under the theme “Sound, Soul and Taste” as part of activities marking Guyana’s diamond jubilee of independence.
Addressing a packed audience, President Ali said the festival was far more than a cultural showcase or entertainment event. Instead, he described it as a powerful reflection of Guyana’s identity, resilience and shared destiny as one people.
According to the President, Guyana’s 60th anniversary should mark a moment of national renewal and recommitment to the principles of inclusion and togetherness.
“The idea of One Guyana must not remain a slogan,” he said, urging citizens to make unity a practical reality across communities, schools, workplaces and national life.
Reflecting on Guyana’s post-independence journey since 1966, President Ali acknowledged that the country has faced challenges and divisions over the decades. However, he said the country now has an opportunity to strengthen social harmony by embracing the richness of its multicultural heritage.
He emphasised that culture should never be treated as secondary to development, arguing instead that it is one of the strongest foundations of nation-building.
“Culture gives people a shared sense of belonging, values and identity,” the President said, noting that Guyana’s traditions, food, music and celebrations reflect the combined influences of Indian, African, Indigenous, European, Chinese and Portuguese heritages.
He added that cultural expression fosters bonds among citizens and helps people from different ethnic and social backgrounds better understand and appreciate one another.
“No country can truly move forward when its people are divided,” the President warned.
In a direct message to the nation’s youth, President Ali urged young Guyanese not to inherit the political hostility and ethnic divisions of earlier generations. Instead, he encouraged them to be the generation that turns Guyana’s diversity into a source of strength and unity.
He said young people have a responsibility to build stronger relationships across ethnic and social lines and to help shape a future in which unity becomes a defining feature of the nation.
The President also linked national cohesion to economic progress, warning that development without inclusion could deepen inequality and social tension. He emphasised that his administration remains committed to ensuring that opportunities and benefits are shared fairly among all Guyanese.
“When development reaches everyone, unity grows naturally,” he said, while cautioning that exclusion often leads to division and mistrust.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues described the Guyana Festival’s return as a landmark moment for the country’s cultural and tourism sectors.
She said the event symbolises not only celebration but also Guyana’s growing confidence and ambition as an emerging destination for tourism, culture and international experiences.
Rodrigues explained that the festival was originally designed to showcase the country’s unique heritage and to support the development of the tourism industry. She noted that modern travellers increasingly seek authentic, immersive experiences, which Guyana is uniquely positioned to offer.
According to the minister, events such as the Guyana Festival also create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, performers, artists, craftsmen and small businesses, while helping to preserve Guyanese traditions amid rapid economic transformation.
“This festival declares that Guyana is proud of its culture, identity and people,” Rodrigues said.
Over the next three days, the Guyana Festival will showcase cultural villages, culinary showcases, concerts, storytelling sessions, craft exhibitions and competitions that highlight the country’s traditions, creativity and diverse heritage as Guyana celebrates 60 years of independence.