Dear Editor,
On Tuesday May 26, 2026, the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC), a non-profit organization on the Corentyne will mark Guyana’s Jubilee (60years) Independence Anniversary with the largest celebrations ever to take place in Region Six. Last year’s Independence celebrations were organized and sponsored by MJVC) and were well attended by residents from across the region, but this year’s celebrations are expected to be much larger and with lots of excitement and more activities.
It is expected to attract thousands of people throughout the region and from as far as West Coast Berbice to Corriverton, East Corentyne and beyond. This year’s independence celebration is the only one of its kind in East Corentyne. It will be an all-day family celebration starting at 7:30 AM with a two-and-a-half-mile male and female foot race from No. 36 Village to the Eversham Community Center. Prizes will be awarded to the first three winners of each group.
This will be followed by a flag raising ceremony and a two-mile road march starting at 1:30 PM from Brighton Village to Epsom Village and then back to the Eversham Community Center ground where there will be a day of lively activities for all, especially for the children who will participate in several cultural, social, and educational events including the recital of poems, singing of folk songs, playing of games and education quizzes competition on the attainment of independence and the history and geography of Guyana.
Thousands of children and adults from the Macedonia Joppa district and elsewhere are expected to join the road march under the theme “Guyana is ours to Treasure.” Participants in the road march will be decked out in a dazzling array of colourful attire of red, black, yellow, white, and green, depicting the colours of the Golden Arrowhead, and the Guyanese culture, lifestyle, heritage and custom. Residents of all ages and from all walks of life, regardless of race, religion, or social status from the Macedonia Joppa villages of No. 35, 36, Brighton, Kiltearn, Eversham, Epsom, Bengal and No 43 and surrounding villages will line both sides of the roadways to view the colourful display of costumes and the rich and gorgeous outfits as the vivacious revelers danced to the rhythm of the lively and customary soca music supplied by Natural Vibes Sound, featuring DJ Clutchy.
For some of the residents, Independence is much more than partying, eating, drinking and dancing in the streets, all of which symbolize our rich culture and priceless heritage. Rather, it is a prized celebration of Guyana’s 60years of Independence as a truly sovereign nation on May 26, 1966, to manage its own affairs. Independence marks the end of 152 years (1814-1966) of colonial rule and Britain’s domination of our vast land, many waterways and streams, courageous and God-fearing people and precious and abundant resources. Independence has become a symbol of unity, strength, empowerment, and togetherness and for all Guyanese near and far to put aside their biases and differences and come together to celebrate as one resilient people, one glorious nation with one ever-lasting destiny. Independence is a true celebration of our diversity, culture, elegance and maturity of the nation and the power and strength of Guyanese in every community. It is a testimony to our enriched social and splendid culture and shared heritage as a nation. The Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee invites all in the district and elsewhere to join and participate in the wonderful jubilee celebration on Tuesday May 26, 2026.