EULAC_428 Mashramani "Mashramani, often abbreviated to "Mash", is an annual festival that celebrates Guyana becoming a Republic in 1970. The festival, usually held on 23 February (except for the 2016 event, this was held on Guyana's Independence Day, 26 May, to celebrate Guyana's 50th Independence Anniversary)\u2013 Guyanese Republic Day \u2013 includes a parade, music, games and cooking and is intended to commemorate the "Birth of the Republic".The word "Mashramani" is derived from an Amerindian language and in translation means "the celebration after hard work". It is one of the most colourful of all the country's festivals. There are spectacular costume competitions, float parades, masquerade bands, and dancing in the streets to the accompaniment of steel band music and calypsos. Masquerades frequent the streets performing acrobatic dance routines, a vivid reminder of Guyana's African heritage. Calypso competitions with their witty social commentaries are another integral part of "Mash", and this culminates in the coronation of a King or Queen for the particular year." This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 693669. Carnival TEXT University of St Andrews EULAC "Mashramani, often abbreviated to "Mash", is an annual festival that celebrates Guyana becoming a Republic in 1970. The festival, usually held on 23 February (except for the 2016 event, this was held on Guyana's Independence Day, 26 May, to celebrate Guyana's 50th Independence Anniversary)\u2013 Guyanese Republic Day \u2013 includes a parade, music, games and cooking and is intended to commemorate the "Birth of the Republic".The word "Mashramani" is derived from an Amerindian language and in translation means "the celebration after hard work". It is one of the most colourful of all the country's festivals. There are spectacular costume competitions, float parades, masquerade bands, and dancing in the streets to the accompaniment of steel band music and calypsos. Masquerades frequent the streets performing acrobatic dance routines, a vivid reminder of Guyana's African heritage. Calypso competitions with their witty social commentaries are another integral part of "Mash", and this culminates in the coronation of a King or Queen for the particular year." 6.2571961 -59.2969685