In the diverse country of Guyana, you can find a place that is both enjoyable and educational – the National Cultural Centre. At this place, people of all walks of life come to visit. It is a place for everyone, young and old alike. This building have been in existence for years. Definitely, the older generation can remember visiting this place with their families to enjoy various shows and programmes. The spacious yard, the comfortable setting and the cleanliness of the area adds to the already entrancing atmosphere.
Establishing The National Cultural Centre
After the destruction of the Assembly Rooms, the auditoriums of Queen’s College and St Rose’s High School were mainly used for major cultural presentations, but these were clearly inadequate venues for ambitious theatre. The idea of establishing a National Cultural Centre can be traced back to 1951 when a foundation stone was laid on the site that now houses the Bank of Guyana building. The decision to erect the Centre was made early in 1971 and Guyanese architects were invited to submit designs for the building in a competition held that year. From the four entries received, the design submitted by Norris Mitchell Associates was selected.
Challenges Of Building The National Cultural Centre
Preliminary site investigations commenced in December 1971 and on 15th January 1972 actual construction started. It was hoped that the building of the Centre would be finished in time for the first Caribbean Festival Creative Arts (Carifesta) which Guyana hosted in 1972. However, the building was not finished. The early construction work fell weeks behind the planned schedule due to almost continuous rains, which prevented work on cement casting for the building for a lengthy period. Thus, barely three weeks before the Festival, the building was still without walls or a roof and only the ground floor and stage were recognizable.
Officially Built National Cultural Centre
The unfinished structure was used anyway, with the aid of three large canvas tents to complete the roofing. Two of the tents were used to cover the foyer and seating area and the third was erected over the stage. Coconut palms were used as walls; the open sides of the tents were enclosed with these coconut palms plaited together. The Jamaica National Ballet was the first group to perform there, as part of Carifesta ’72. After Carifesta ’72 work was resumed but very soon met with a severe cement shortage which brought work to a halt for several months. Finally, four years and five months after the work was commenced, the building was formally opened by the Prime Minister, Cde. L.F.S. Burnham, O.E.
Did You Know? The foundation stone of the National Cultural Centre had been laid on the 8th August, 1951 which is almost twenty-five years before it actually became a reality. After many delays the National Cultural Centre was officially opened on 16 May 1976.
Presentations At The National Cultural Centre
The first stage presentation took place on 23rd May 1976 with a mixed programme of dance and music entitled ‘A Span of Time’, produced by Lynette Dolphin (Chairman of the Department of Culture) and directed by Bill Pilgrim (Director of Music). Any performing group, company or ensemble is able, and encouraged to book the National Cultural Centre for the presentation of its production provided it can pay the rental, and undertakes to meet the basic contract conditions and regulations.
Watch This: Musical Piece at the Opening Day of the National Cultural Centre
This performance was part of the first show held to open the new National Cultural Centre built in Georgetown Guyana … May 1976, The performers are, from left to right, Ivor Lynch, ” Think It Over,” Ms. Pamela Maynard, “Momma She Told Me”, Sammy Baksh “To Be Lonely” and Otis Goodluck “Let My Tears Rain” all original compositions by the respective artists (c) PRS London.
Some Details Of The National Cultural Centre
- Built on 280 x 50 ft. long Greenheart piles, the building is best described as a large concrete and brick faced rectangular box containing an auditorium to seat a maximum of 2,000 persons facing a proscenium stage, fitted out with modest technical facilities.
- The Centre is decorated with a chandelier made of local woods over the main staircase, and a Denis Williams mural, entitled “Memorabilia 11”.
- Adjacent to the building is a large open car park; suitable and convenient for drivers.
- There are two large dressing rooms on the first and second floors, well fitted with elaborate lockers.
- The stage floor surface is constructed from one of the world’s hardest timbers, secret nailed Greenheart on hardwood joists.
Tip: The National Cultural Centre rises 62 feet (19 m), is 240 feet (73 m) long and 115 feet (35 m) wide, and seats about 2,000 people. Its stage is 48 feet (15 m) deep with an orchestra pit, and has a 72-foot (22 m) wide and 20-foot (6.1 m) high opening.
Guyana’s National Cultural Centre
On the 27th March, 2019, Inews Guyana reported that the Cultural Centre would be going through some renovations. The Department of Culture, Youth and Sport said, “The Cultural Centre is currently being upgraded to a more modern facility at a cost of $50M”. The Department of Culture, Youth and Sport is in the process of revamping the facility so it could accommodate modern features. These will include improving the stage and the sound system and replacing the chairs. According to Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain the lighting system for the centre has already been upgraded.
Events kept at the National Cultural Centre are graduations, fashion shows, comedies, pageants, dances, award ceremonies, creative and cultural displays, etc. It is located on Homestretch Avenue, D’Urban Park, in Georgetown. Phone number: 226 2172. You and your family are welcome to visit and experience first-hand what it is like to be entertained and educated about the diverse culture of Guyana.
Article References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cultural_Centre_(Guyana)
- https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000071262_eng
- https://www.inewsguyana.com/major-upgrade-for-national-cultural-centre/
