Poem: “I am Guyanese” – video

I am Guyanese – Poem

Comment – Kwesi Oginga

Thank you, Henry, for keeping this, one of my classical poems, alive. I wrote this poem in 1983. It was first recited as verse speaking at the National Cultural Center, in August of the same year by Ronald Hollingsworth, Collette Jones, Bharrat Singh, Sherwin Welshman and myself. I was challenged by First Lady, Mrs. Viola Burnham, to write something that would truly express what it is to be a Guyanese. This poem came as a result. More of these profoundly patriotic poems can be read from my book, “I am a Guyanese,” published by Xlibris in 2008.  Thanks, Henry! I truly appreciate your interpretation and recitation of this poem,  Friends forever,  Kwesi Oginga

The Guyana Cultural Association of New York….. says THANK YOU!

The Guyana Cultural Association of New York…..says THANK  YOU!

We, the members of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc. express our sincere thanks to all who helped to make our 2015 Guyana Folk Festival season a success. There were more attendees at all of the events—the Awards Ceremony, Kwe Kwe Night, the Literary Hang and Family Fun Day. More than 11,000 attended the annual Family Fun Day 2015 in Brooklyn. This represented a 22 percent increase over 2014’s. Thank you, Brooklyn!

The increased presence of visitors from Guyana, as well as displays of art and products manufactured there made Folk Festival 2015 memorable. This year, GCA was pleased to welcome Honorable Cathy Hughes, Minister of Tourism. In addition, to hosting an exhibition on Guyana’s tourism product and showcasing Guyanese food and beverages at Family Fun Day, Minister Hughes attended Kwe Kwe Night and the Literary Hang.