BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH the recent conclusion of the Culturama activities, Manager of the Festivals Secretariat, Antonio ‘Abonatti’ Liburd, said that Nevisians should participate more in the activities.
Responding to a question about Kittitians journeying over to participate in the activities, Liburd said they are appreciative of their contribution.
“We appreciate the contribution of the Kittitians in Culturama and we somehow feel that the Nevisians should stop being spectators and get more involved either in the planning or as revelers or participants in the festival,” he said.
Several of the competitions held this year were also won by Kittitians including the Junior Calypso Show, Miss Culture Swimwear and Mr. Kool competition.
As some may not have been pleased and referred to Culturama as ‘Kittirama’, Liburd said that if they do not receive enough participants for their competitions from Nevisians they usually give Kittitians a chance to apply.
“We always give Kittitians a chance to participate. It is a fact when we select judges, we select all Nevisian judges and if it is in the opinion of the judges that the competitors from St. Kitts would have won the contest then there’s nothing the committee could do. We always stand by the judge’s decision.
“If Kittitians enter the contest and they win we have no problem with that as a committee; they are all participants, and they all come together to make Culturama what they want it to be,” Liburd said.
The Festivals Secretariat Manager said that at first preparations started off on a slow note and that incoming sponsorship was a bit behind.
“Might have been due to the state of the economy that sponsors were tardy in coming forward; we also had some issues in getting contestants but once activities were launched, and the pre-activities began, the festival started gaining momentum.
“The shows were really a highlight and we were overwhelmed with the success of Culturama.”
Culturama Results:
Winner - Ultrasonic Band - “Real Ultraholics”
Runner-up - Odisi Band - “Ready for Culture”
School Troupes Category
Winner - St. James’ Primary - 216 points
1st Runner-up - Ivor Walters Primary - 175 points
2nd Runner-up - St. Thomas’ Primary - 171 points
Fantasy Troupes Category
Winner - Sailing in Memory of Christena - 354 points
1st Runner-up - Ultra Sonic Island Girls United - 334 points
1st Runner-up - NRP Youth Arm - 334 points
Ole Mas
Winner - Nelson Jeffers
Folklore Troupes Category
The auditors were unable to fairly determine and certify positions for the Folklore Troupes Category due to incomplete, insufficient and inconsistent scoring data provided by the judges.
The Nevis Culturama Committee sincerely apologises to all Folklore Troupes and patrons for this very serious mishap.
