CARIFESTA Returns to Guyana In Grand Style and Excitement


~~Adz:Right~~Roadtown, Tortola- After 36 years, the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) returned to Guyana in grand style and with great excitement as the country welcomed their Caribbean brothers and sisters including the Virgin Islands (UK) to the opening of CARIFESTA X with a potpourri of music, dance and colours at the National Stadium in Providence, Guyana.

Over 50,000 people were present at the opening ceremony entitled “Celegacy” (Celebrate Our Legacy) on August 22 to witness this grand opening as the 30 participating countries showcased their national dress and danced to the rhythm of exuberant music in the parade of nations. 

Director of Culture Mrs. Luce Hodge Smith said the ceremony was fantastic and very vibrant and that it indeed reflected this year’s theme - One Caribbean, One Purpose, Our Culture, Our Life.  “The opening ceremony was very colourful and it gave the participating country just a glimpse of the richness and diversity of Guyana’s culture,” she said.

Mrs. Hodge-Smith added that the BVI has benefited in many ways from participating in regional and cultural events such as CARIFESTA.  “These events serve as a platform for us to showcase the BVI culture and for our artists to network with their counterparts here in the region and share ideas,” she said.

“I hope that this event will be a rewarding experience for each of our delegates so that they can appreciate the Caribbean region, themselves as Virgin Islanders, our culture, music, art and craft but also the culture of other countries,” Mrs. Hodge Smith added.

She said the festival gives an opportunity for the participants to develop their skills, attend workshops and understand and appreciate what it means to be a Caribbean person.

President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Mr. Bharat Jagdeo described this meeting of nations at CARIFESTA X as a celebration.  “This festival transcends all ethnicity, social and national boundaries but at the same time it unites the people of the Caribbean in this one celebration of our artistic forms and achievement,” he said.

“CARIFESTA X will appeal to the imagination of people at all levels of society and it will have lasting moments in their memories,” he added.

Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Mr. Edwin Carrington said CARIFESTA and the cooperation in culture in general is an important part of the foundation of the regional movement.  “Our artists have led the way in giving expression to our rich cultural expression and traditions,” he said.

Mr. Carrington added, “They have celebrated our diversity and our Caribbean identity and have taught us through their work to have and appreciate who we are.”

The BVI team will take part in the Community Festival, Fashion Show, Book Display and art exhibition, where many of the BVI’s local artists’ books and paintings will be on display.

Over the next 10 days Carifesta will feature performances by numerous artistes representing countries from the English, French and Dutch speaking Caribbean as well as Latin America.