BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE curtains came down on the 2017 Culturama Festival yesterday (Aug. 9) and the organizers have reported that it was one of the best they have had over the 43-year history of the event.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Antonio Abonaty Liburd today told SKNVibes that by using the economic impact and community participation as a measuring rod, the community has hailed the event a “major success”.
He explained that they had seen a large support from the populace for all event, including the inaugural Wet Fete.
“The Wet Fete, which was part of Culturama 43, saw a very good turnout. We possibly had over 1,400 patrons who were present at that event. On the following week, the Glow Fete had a similar turnout.”
Additionally, Liburd stated that they also saw a record attendance at both the Kaiso Competition and the Miss Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant.
He further stated that the street activities had also attracted large crowds as well as the large number of bands for the Parade and the many troupes on the road for J’Ouvert.
“We literally saw thousands of Kittitians and Nevisians converging on the streets of Charlestown for J’Ouvert Morning. And then for our Cultural Street Parade we saw a record number of troupes; 15 troupes made up of individual mas players.”
Speaking about hotel accommodation, Liburd said all the smaller establishments were filled during the festival.
He stated that some of the hoteliers indicated that they had to turn away customers because no room was available.
With reference to the overall economic impact, Liburd said: “When we would have looked at the amount of money that would have circulated in the economy over the period that we celebrate Culturama, when you look at the attendance at the functions, the shows and the streets activities, Nevis benefited substantially.”
Questioned on the standout activity of the festival, the Chairman pointed to the Wet Fete - a new innovation to this year’s line-up.
Meanwhile, the Committee is boasting of an incident free festival; something they have achieved over the last five years.
