WITH approximately 13 booths at the Grand Cultural Market of the Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA), Guyana is dominating the event which officially opened on Saturday in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Guyana will be participating in the Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Culinary arts, Cinematography, Indigenous Festivals, Fashion and Literary Arts sections of the festival which is being held from August 16-25 under the theme: “Culture for Development: Celebrating our diversity and promoting the central role of culture in economic, social and human development.”

The Grand Cultural Market saw patrons from the host country, Suriname and other participating countries filling the venue to see what each country has to offer.

Literary Arts
In the literary arts section of the Grand Market and Exhibition, Guyana has on display books from the Guyana Prize for literature, Guyana Classics, Caribbean Classics, as well as children literature.

These books include those from Guyanese famous writers and poets such as Ian McDonald, David Dabydeen, Wilson Harris and Janice Shinebourne.

Children present at the event were also treated to story telling and lectures in art education from the University of Guyana’s, Mr. Michael Khan who told patrons about the various elements of Guyana’s intangible cultural heritage.

Arts and Craft
Persons flocked Guyana’s booth which displayed arts and craft from throughout the administrative regions of the country, as well as important travel information.

Items in display included leather slippers, bags, tokens, costume jewellery and crochet costume jewellery.

Arts and Craft representative from Guyana, Ms. Denzil Hollingsworth, told the Guyana Chronicle that the items on display were from organisations such as the Guyana Arts and Craft Producers Association and the Carnegie Craft Production Centre.

According to her, the aim of the booth is not only to showcase arts and craft on display, but also to showcase the country as a tourist destination since one cannot go without the other.

Visual Arts
Guyana’s visual arts section of the exhibition highlights the work of an established artist- Ms.Bernadette Persaud emerging artist- Akima Mc.Pherson and a young artist-Shmerl Jones.

There was also work on display from artists who were not present at the event, including the Main Street art group, University of Guyana and invited artists such as Ivor Thom.

The artists present at the event told the Guyana Chronicle that the response to their work has been good and they hope that in the coming days this will pick up.

Fashion
Head of the Guyanese Fashion Delegation, Ms. Carol Fraser told this publication that the country will be showcasing high fashion as well as semi-traditional fashion and three designers will be showcasing their pieces everyday.

According to her, in the fashion and accessories category she will be showcasing natural fibres in bags, accessories, shoes and clothing.

Culinary arts
The Grand Market was also filled with culinary arts booths and patrons to the event were flocking the Guyana booth of the Carnegie School of Home Economics.

Delicious Guyanese cuisine for sale at the Grand Cultural Market included Pepperpot, fruit cake, black cake, mittai and fried rice.

CARIFESTA’s Grand Cultural Market runs until August 24.
Meanwhile, Guyana generally has the largest delegation to CARIFESTA with over 100 participants.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Guyana’s Festival Director, Mr. Lennox Canterbury said that while the Guyana government funded approximately 60 persons, there were also persons who were self- sponsored.

When asked what challenges the Guyanese delegation faces in this festival, Mr. Canterbury stated that their experience is what will allow them to pre-empt any challenges which may come their way.

He pointed out that the media is also present at the event, which is very important since it allows Guyanese back home to be aware of what is going on and to feel proud that they are well represented in neighbouring Suriname.