THE Surinamese Presidential Palace located in Independence Square, Paramaribo on Saturday , was transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours as thousands of people witnessed the opening of CARIFESTA XI that showcased hundreds of dancing children, a military drum band and fireworks among others.

The event is being attended by representatives from countries from the Caribbean, UNASUR and further afield.
CARIFESTA XI which is being staged during the period August 16 to 26 is a multi-disciplinary festival that showcases the cultural expressions of peoples of more than 30 countries in the Caribbean Region. The event will allow contingents to showcase their skills and various cultural pieces in literary arts, arts and craft, music, visual arts, performing arts, fashion and culinary arts.
One of the highlights of the opening ceremony was the performance of a group of 340 children between the ages of 6-16 years who showed their skills in various types of dances including traditional, modern, hip hop, ballet and contemporary. Suriname received support from Cuba in this regard.
Suriname’s cultural diversity was highlighted as the audience was treated to expressions from different groups: East Indians, Amerindians, Javanese and Maroons. Together, the cultural pieces told Suriname’s story of development and the way forward with much attention on the protection of the forest and the promotion of traditional practices.
One of the most captivating presentations was the illumination of the Presidential Palace which was used throughout the programme as a backdrop.
“We are dedicated to position CARIFESTA X1 as a world renowned hallmark festival of Caribbean culture and artistic excellence that generates economic benefits, unites the Caribbean and excites all people,” President Desi Bouterse said in his speech at the event’s opening.
He emphasised that he and the citizens of Suriname are extremely happy to be hosting Carifesta as the region’s diverse culture is celebrated for the eleventh time.
“Suriname, with its famed hospitality, stands ready to demonstrate together with you how expressing ourselves strengthens the ties between peoples across the borders,” he said.
Bouterse explained that for the first time the festival brings together peoples from the Caribbean and those from the rest of world. “I can assure you that during the coming days, Suriname citizens will succeed in making all of us feel connected as equal human beings,” he said.
The President emphasised that culture is an important cornerstone for a healthy society which takes into account the economic and social factors. Knowledge of culture fosters an understanding among people of different identities, helps to resolve and prevent conflicts, and consequently enhances collaboration in relationships.
In his presentation, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin La Rocque acknowledged that CARIFESTA X1 ties in with the 40th anniversary of the Caribbean Community, and in this regard there is cause to reflect on integration.
“One of the architects of our regional integration movement and one of the signatories of the Treaty of Chaguaramas in 1973 the then Prime Minister of Guyana, Forbes Burnham responded to the request of a group of writers to introduce CARIFESTA as a forum where artists and the people could come together to celebrate our culture and diversity…he recognised the important role of culture as a foundation of our regional movement to bring more people together to create one Caribbean family; integration is our vision,” Ambassador La Rocque highlighted.
He noted that the hosting of CARIFESTA brings back memories of the first event that was held 41 years ago in Guyana and CARIFESTA 8 which was held in Suriname in 2003.
“CARIFESTA is loved by all of us because culture is our passion…we are a people who are proud of who we are, we celebrate our identity and diversity, and we are resilient because of our history…we are passionate and take great pride in our renowned and accomplished artists, musicians, writers and dancers who have proclaimed the Caribbean and inspired the global imagination…culture is our passion,” LaRocque emphasised.
He added that the festival brings new opportunities and partnerships for the participants, and therefore CARIFESTA is undergoing a transformation to position it as a space where Caribbean culture and arts can be promoted to improve the economic viability of Caricom member states.
The Secretary General expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Suriname for planning and hosting CARIFESTA X1. He highlighted that the hosting of the event by Suriname is an indication of President Bouterse’s commitment and passion for his role in the Caribbean community.
Suriname’s Minister of Education and Community Development, who also has responsibility for culture, Ashwin Adhin said that the coming together of the countries presents the opportunity for people to learn from each other while joining forces for the placement of culture at the top of the region’s development policies.
“Celebrating our diversity and promoting the central role of culture in economic, social and human development…we want to underline that our region as a whole and our nations individually and Suriname especially, are blessed with the potential of human resources which we can develop for our social and economic benefit through culture and education,” Adhin said.
“It is said that we are moving from an information age to the conceptual age where change is no more driven by the availability of information but the ability of producing concepts out of this information but to conceptualise and create artistic and emotional beauty to detect opportunities, to combine unrelated ideas into a novel invention,” Adhin said.
CARIFESTA X1 will therefore focus on creativity and cultural expression as a driving force for social and economic development. He emphasised that the previous Carifesta events indicate that a lot has been done to integrate the region which has resulted, among others, in guaranteeing the continuation of the cultural event. (GINA)