AS the days draw near to the largest single cultural event in the Region, the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Frank Anthony, yesterday, announced that Guyana would be taking the largest delegation to the festival, and the estimated budget will be $20M.

He told a press conference yesterday that since Guyana is a neighbour to the CARIFESTA X1 host country, Suriname, the two states have effected an agreement allowing Guyana to send the largest contingent. Minister Anthony said others are welcome to join the delegation, but they will have to pay their own way.
He described CARIFESTA as a Caribbean market which allows for culture to be a part of the new millennium goal, adding that it also enables regional assimilation where the people of the Caribbean can pool their culture, talents and ideas.
CARIFESTA XI is being held under the theme ‘Culture for Development: Celebrating our diversity and promoting the central role of culture in economic, social and human development.
Spearheading the Performing Arts section is Dr. Seeta Shah Roath. She said that the Performing Arts will also contribute to the Youth Village in order to shape the minds of Caribbean youths through arts.
Meanwhile, Philbert Gajadhar, who is organising the Visual Arts section, said that they are sending one established artist, one emerging artist, one young artist and an administration artist, and they will be hosting symposiums where the artist would speak to the public about their art. He added that Guyana is not only participating in the festival but it is also seeking opportunities for Guyanese Artists.
“In the Caribbean we have so much diversity, we can recreate,” said Enrico Woolford, who is spear-heading the film section for Guyana.
Guyana will be participating in the Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Culinary Arts, Cinematography, Indigenous Festivals, Fashion, and Literary Arts sections of CARIFESTA.
CARIFESTA X1 is scheduled for August 16 to 25, 2013.