A steel pan revival spearheaded by pan genius Roy Geddes and collaborations with musicians, dancers, dramatists, designers and sculptors and other stakeholders are high on the agenda as Guyana gears up for Carifesta 2008.
Of the 40 countries invited for the tenth Carifesta celebration to be held in Guyana from August 22 to 31, 16 have responded favourably, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony said yesterday.
He said the Carifesta Secretariat is engaging Caricom on the countries that are yet to respond. However large delegations are expected from countries such as Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname that have already shown interest.
Anthony told reporters at a press briefing yesterday that preliminary work has commenced in numerous areas since individual committees were set up a short while ago but the current focus is on recruiting the experience and talent. “We are calling on our local dancers, musicians, sculptors, artists, panists, writers, designers and those with culinary skills to come forward and register with the ministry for Carifesta because we only know a fraction of the talent that is out there. We hope to create a database by early next year,” Anthony said.
The National Cultural Centre is among the venues targeted for an upgrade for the festivities, while Anthony noted that the Theatre Guild was under rehabilitation. He said appraisals have been completed for the National Stadium where the opening and closing ceremonies will take place.
According to the minister, a budget of $5M was allocated for initial Carifesta preparations this year but a larger sum is expected to be budgeted for next year. Anthony would not disclose the sum said money for Carifesta would not be an issue. He added that the private sector has demonstrated interest in the upcoming event, and the secretariat also hopes to engage regional companies.
Security measures introduced for Cricket World Cup will also be in place for Carifesta but a new plan is being worked out, Anthony said. Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee is heading the security committee for the event.
The minister said many ideas are floating around for Carifesta, many of which are favourable and the secretariat was reviewing all of them. He said many activities are planned for the months leading up to Carifesta to create an ambience for the event.
One of the activities includes regular film screenings in the outdoors where persons would be encouraged to go out with their families. He said the secretariat was working with the organizers of the Cuban Film Festival to select quality movies produced in the region and is collaborating with the National Communication Network (NCN).
Anthony said several super concerts would be held during Carifesta as well as numerous fashion events since large fashion delegations are expected. He said the Guyana Fashion Weekend billed for late August 2008 would be on the calendar of events and designer, Sonia Noel would be coordinating the event. Fashion booths will be setup to allow participating countries to display their designs and creations and a grand market and trade fair is planned for the Sophia Exhibition Site
Geddes who was present for the briefing yesterday told reporters that with discipline and hard work the local steel pan art form would be revived in time for the event. A National Steel Orchestra is expected to be formed by next February in addition to six new steel bands. Five other steel pan instructors are working along with Geddes and the ministry. By February next year six new steel bands are expected to be formed. The ministry is also working along with existing steel bands and assisting them to be ready for Mashramani 2008 and the subsequent Carifesta celebrations.
Anthony said the National School of Dance will lead Guyana’s contribution in this area. He said the dancers are scheduled to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies but noted that they are looking for dancers from across the country. Regarding drama, he said, the committee is still going through various suggestions but is already collaborating with the Ministry of Education’s Allied Arts Unit to hold a drama competition in schools and have the winning school perform at Carifesta.
Anthony said several writers would be launching books at Carifesta and there would be book exhibitions, readings and signings. A special collection celebrating 20 years of the Guyana Prize would also be mounted. He added that the committee was looking at an anthology project.
Various pieces of artistic expressions are expected to be displayed at prominent sites across the country. Anthony said an art village would be opened at the Burrowes School of Arts but the committee intended to have art including wood carvings spread all over the place. Iwokrama has committed to supplying the trees for the project. He added that a photographic exhibition would also be mounted.
The ministry is working with the Guyana Post Office Corporation and the National Trust to have a special postage stamp exhibition mounted. According to Anthony, the secretariat is also looking at creating postcards celebrating local cultural icons.
