‘Not responsible for divisions of the past’ — President Ali opens Guyana Festival 2026 with call for unity

President Irfaan Ali on Friday night officially opened Guyana Festival 2026 with a call for unity, healing and national togetherness as Guyana prepares to celebrate 60 years of Independence.

Speaking at the Providence Stadium before thousands gathered for the opening of the cultural showcase, Ali said Guyana’s diversity must become a source of strength rather than division.

The President described the festival as more than entertainment, arguing that culture now sits at the center of nation building during one of the most transformative periods in Guyana’s modern history.

Reflecting on Guyana’s Independence journey since May 26, 1966, Ali acknowledged that the country’s path has not been perfect and that divisions rooted in colonialism and politics still linger today.

“For too long under colonial rule, diversity was manipulated to keep our people divided,” the President said.

“Colonialism did not leave us divided by accident; it left us divided by design.”

Ali said the next phase of Guyana’s development must focus not only on economic prosperity but on healing social fractures and building what he described as “the soul of the country.”

“The next four plus years of my presidency will be dedicated to finding the soul of our country, building upon the soul of our country — a soul defined by love, faith and unity,” he stated.

Throughout his address, Ali repeatedly returned to the idea of “One Guyana,” insisting that the phrase must evolve beyond a slogan and become a lived national reality.

He argued that genuine unity means ensuring no citizen or community feels excluded from opportunity, recognition or development because of ethnicity, geography or social background.

“One Guyana means no child feels excluded because of their name or background. No community feels left behind in development,” he said.

The President also made a direct appeal to young people, urging them not to inherit the prejudices and political hostility of previous generations.

“You are not responsible for the divisions of the past, but you hold responsibility for the unity of the future,” Ali declared.

“Do not inherit old prejudices. Do not allow the past to define the limits of your imagination.”

Ali said Guyana Festival’s theme — “Song, Soul and Taste” — reflects the country’s multicultural identity through music, spirituality, storytelling and food.

He described Guyanese cuisine, music and traditions as living examples of how diversity can enrich rather than weaken society.

“It is pepperpot and roti, cook-up rice and chowmein, metemgee and curry, cassava bread and bake and saltfish,” the President said.

“Our cuisine tells a story more powerful than any textbook — that diversity does not weaken us, it enriches us.”

The President warned, however, that economic prosperity alone will not automatically create unity, especially as Guyana undergoes massive transformation fueled by oil revenues and global attention.

“Prosperity without social cohesion can deepen division,” he cautioned.

Ali stressed that development must remain inclusive and fairly distributed if Guyana hopes to avoid future tensions and inequality.

The President ended the address by formally declaring Guyana Festival 2026 open, describing the event as part of a broader effort to strengthen national identity and bring Guyanese together through culture, sport and shared experiences ahead of the country’s 60th Independence anniversary celebration.