Brathwaite praises BVI participation in Carifesta X

Roadtown, Tortola- BVI participation in the tenth Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA X) was described as excellent and commendable by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Mrs. Sheila Brathwaite.

Mrs. Brathwaite told the Department of Information and Public Relations that the participation of the BVI delegation was highly commendable.

  “The BVI Elite Sky Dancers, Virgin Islands Callaloo Poets, and our participation in the fashion segment, visual arts and the grand market really gave us the opportunity to showcase the great talents that we have to offer in these areas,” she said.

She added, “Our delegation did tremendously well and persons were delighted with our participation so we will prepare to showcase more of our culture at CARIFESTA XI in the Bahamas in 2010.”

Mrs. Brathwaite thanked the Government for giving the Ministry and the Department of Culture the opportunity to participate in such a mega and prestigious event which she described as beneficial for the development of the Territory’s culture.

Director of Culture Mrs. Luce Hodge Smith said one of the main highlights of this year’s Carifesta was the BVI Elite Sky Dancers.  “Persons just wanted to see more and more of these guys and they were able to perform five times including the closing ceremony,” she said.

“Carifesta X was a memorable experience for us and we were very pleased with the positive response that our delegation received throughout the festival,” she said.

His Excellency, The President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Bharat Jagdeo described the closing of Carifesta X as a bitter sweet moment for many.  “We have done a great service to regionalism through this festival.  We have breathed new life into Carifesta, celebrated the cultural diversity of the region and affirmed new diversity as uniting goals of the people of the Caribbean,” the President said.   ~~Adz:Left~~

At the closing ceremony Guyana’s Minister of Culture, the Honourable Dr. Frank Anthony passed the Carifesta XI baton to the Bahamian Minister of Culture Honourable Charles Maynard. 

This year’s festival was celebrated under the theme “One Caribbean, One Purpose, Our Culture, Our Life.”  Two objectives of this Caribbean Festival are to reaffirm the importance of the arts as a unifying force in building a wholesome society; and to deepen awareness and knowledge among Caribbean people of the cultural aspirations of their neighbours by exposing them to each other’s culture through creative activity. Carifesta was first held in Guyana in 1972.