Carifesta X ends in splendour!!

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

It was party time after the fireworks display Sunday night. (Jules Gibson photo, Courtesy Stabroek News)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - AFTER days of energetic entertainment, cultural expressions and spirited celebrations, the 10th Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta X) concluded in heightened excitement Sunday in Guyana.

News coming out of the 'Land of many waters' state that the 10-day event, which featured the Caribbean’s finest cultural, culinary and performing arts, offered a spectacular blend of dazzling diversity for the grand finale at the National Stadium in Providence.

Over 3 500 delegates from the 29 participating countries along with some 500 000 spectators were treated to a display of free-falling and parachute landing by the Guyana Defence Force that signalled the commencement of the closing ceremony.

The grand finale was a time of celebrative reflection upon the success of the cultural event and the invaluably memorable performances that were witnessed on the historic grounds where the inaugural Carifesta celebrations took place.

The event focussed on the accomplishment of the host nation in setting the standard of this intra-regional effort for the other Caribbean nations to follow, and as President Jagdeo stated, “As a nation, we rose to the occasion, we did ourselves proud, we created a Carifesta to remember, the biggest Carifesta ever!”

Culture Minister Dr. Frank Anthony (left) hands over the CARIFESTA Scroll to the Bahamas Culture Minister Charles Maynard. (Courtesy Guyana Chronicle)

The four-hour long ceremony was not only a symbol of the success of Guyana in hosting the Carifesta X, but it was also marked as a significant stage where Guyana turned over the baton of cultural celebration and pride to The Bahamas, the country that will be hosting Carifesta Xl in 2010.

The official acceptance of the mantle by Bahamian Minister of Culture Charles Maynard prompted a roaring response by its delegation as they flooded the field with the sounds of Bahamian cultural art forms. They offered the enthused crowd a sneak preview of what may be highlighted in Carifesta Xl.

According to the Guyana Chronicle, Maynard expressed his overall satisfaction in the high standard of performances by participating countries and the success of Guyana in hosting this year’s event.

“I am very impressed with the Guyanese government and people for opening their arms to the rest of the Caribbean, hosting this most important event. I think that the new model for Carifesta has gotten its greatest test here in Guyana in terms of the potential for it to be a revenue earning venture…,” he added.

Minister Maynard stressed the need for Carifesta to be a collective effort where all the participating countries support each other. He noted that a 150-member delegation from The Bahamas along with a group to study the Carifesta programme showed their utmost support at the festival. He further observed the benefits that the continuation of hosting these festivals could grant the region.

“If we can make this an ordinary occurrence not only for Carifesta every two years but opportunities where different countries can have cultural exchange programmes, this cross pollination and cultural exchange programme can be a good way to enhance this particular sector,” he said, adding, “It goes well towards the expansion of cultural industries in the Caribbean countries,” the Guyana Chronicle quoted him as saying.

Maynard declared that having experienced the “new model for Carifesta” that was executed by the people of Guyana, his country is more prepared to ensure it does all that is necessary for “a proper hosting of Carifesta in 2010”.

He concluded by inviting the people of Guyana to The Bahamas in 2010 for Carifesta XI, as he hopes to “try our best to walk in the big shoes left by Guyana”.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Seven of the nine photos in the gallery are with the complements of the Guyana Chronicle while the other two, courtesy of Stabroek News.