See below the full release from the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC): The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends greetings to all Guyanese on the 55th year – our emerald anniversary as a Republic. As Guyana observes this significant milestone and reflects on its social progress and cultural development, the society is replete with examples of a growing potpourri and ‘melting pot’ that is uniquely Guyanese. We share and enjoy our culinary delights and cuisine, and the ERC recognizes that admixture, among others, continues to enrich our identity as ‘One People’ living in a multicultural homeland. This year’s theme “Expressing our Culture and Creativity as One Guyana” gives perspective and reverberates with our shared cultural diversity and peaceful co-existence reminding us of the extensive advances and resilience our people demonstrated and gained for five and a half decades as a Republic. The Commission is unanimous that our cultural gains and freedoms have helped to shape what it means to be truly Guyanese. The Commission encourages all Guyanese to participate in the revelry of Mashramani or connect with friends and family to observe fifty-five years as a nation. The ERC’s mandate to promote peace, respect and harmony augurs well for opening the way to exciting new possibilities on this anniversary and beyond for our young nation. Happy Republic Day from the Ethnic Relations Commission! The post ‘Our cultural gains and freedoms help to shape us’ – ERC in Republic Day message appeared first on News Room Guyana.