- Coordinator Canterbury - MASH Day activities will definitely take place, Mashramani Celebrations Coordinator Lennox Canterbury confirmed yesterday.
But the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport officially announced that Mash Night, one of the events leading up to February 23, was postponed, from last night, due to the inclement weather.Canterbury told the Guyana Chronicle that was because participants were concerned mainly about the damage rainfall can cause to the costumes.Canterbury explained that Mash Night is usually when the costumes are displayed and judging takes place, while the public gets a chance to have a feel of what to expect on the big day.

“It is a catalyst for Mash,” he said.
Canterbury said the adjudication will be done tomorrow, during the costume and float parade, when at least 20 costume bands will be on the road.
This year, Mashramani is themed ‘Let’s unite and celebrate in 2008.’Alluding to laments in wake of the Lusignan and Bartica massacres, Canterbury said Mash Secretariat officials met with stakeholders, participants and other groups who have invested in the revelry and, from those meetings, they concluded they will go ahead with the programme.

“The decisions were not made without considerations…it is not that we are insensitive to what is happening…we have given people a choice,” he stated.Canterbury said another factor considered was that Guyana will be hosting CARIFESTA X and Mash, as a precursor to it, would attract people and can affect their view of the regional festival.