Guyana’s 60th festivities are full of Sound, Soul and Taste

Guyana is celebrating its 60th year of independence from the United Kingdom with a series of celebrations in 2026.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has called on all 800,000 Guyanese to embrace unity and cultural diversity while delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony of the Guyana Festival 2026 at the National Stadium, Providence on Friday.

The festival, which returned after a 12-year absence, was held under the theme, ‘Sound, Soul and Taste’.

Reflecting on Guyana’s journey since independence in 1966, Ali acknowledged that the country’s path had not been perfect, but said the nation must now focus on building stronger unity and inclusion.

Ali noted that Guyana’s music, cuisine, traditions and festivals reflect a shared national identity shaped by African, Indian, Indigenous, European, Chinese and Portuguese influences.

 “No nation can progress when its people are divided against themselves,” he said. He also issued a direct appeal to young people, urging them not to inherit the prejudices and political divisions of previous generations in the oil-rich country.