Plans are afoot for the staging of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) XIII later this year in Barbados, and according to that country’s Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, it will be characterised by a peculiar Barbadian stamp. The prime minister’s comments were made on Thursday during his stay in Guyana for the 28 Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
During the meeting, Prime Minister Stuart provided a progress report to the Community on the preparations for CARIFESTA which will be held from August 17-27, 2017, under the theme “Asserting Our Culture, Celebrating Ourselves”.
According to Chairman of the Community, President David Granger, the body acknowledged the importance of the festival to the Caribbean identity and “brand”, urged full participation in the event.
“We are a unique people and it is important that we showcase the diversity of our people,” he said.
Agreeing with the Chairman, Stuart said that while CARIFESTA showcases the diversity of the region, it highlights the unique character of each host country.
“Over the years it [CARIFESTA] has change its character to reflect where it is being held because each host country tries to put its cultural stamp on the festival. Therefore, we expect that while we will be having artistes from all over the region, there will be a peculiar Barbadian stamp on CARIFESTA XIII,” he said, adding that the land of the flying fish hosted the event in 1981, and as such, it is not virgin territory for them.
Touching on preparations briefly, the prime minister explained that the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth in Barbados will be leading the charge for the event, and has been very active in preparations.
He pointed out too that not only the Ministry, but the Government has been working on getting the infrastructure ready in time for the event.
SIGNIFICANT INTEREST
Meanwhile, he indicated that a “significant number” of persons have already indicated that they will be coming to Barbados and will be participating in the cultural event.
“The level of enthusiasm, evident in Barbados and the number of countries that have indicated that they want to participate, satisfies us that we are going to have a successful CARIFESTA,” he said.
Eight countries have so far confirmed participation in the event. These countries include; Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Guyana, Montserrat and St Lucia.
Additionally, CARICOM has said that there is interest in the Grand Market and Buyer’s Shopping Mall from as far as the Middle East.
The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth in Barbados had earlier announced that a proposed Caribbean shopping centre during CARIFESTA is generating global interest.
“…there has been interest shown in the regional showcase from international buyers in Colombia, North America, Europe, the Middle East as well as from other Caribbean islands, which have a special interest in one of the major events for the festival,” the Ministry announced in a statement.
Based on these indications, Stuart said that the country is on course and is optimistic that they will host a successful 13th edition of CARIFESTA.
Carifesta, which facilitates the gathering of like-minded souls, will run for 10 days with a Grand Market, exhibits, performances, and other cultural orientations dominating this extravaganza.
It is expected to be a fair where Caribbean craft rub shoulders with fashion shows, gastronomic palaver, music and other creative art forms.