The launch of Carifesta X kicked off with great zest last evening at the Cenotaph Square, Main and Church streets in front of the Bank of Guyana.
Many Guyanese gathered to witness what was a historical event for Guyana since this is the first time since 1972 that the country is hosting Carifesta.
The festival is slated to be held from August 22 – 31.
Present at the ceremony were foreign guests, representatives of various Caricom countries and a variety of other personalities. Nobel Prize for Literature winner, Derek Walcott, was one of the featured guest presenters at the ceremony. He complimented Guyana on its efforts thus far and highlighted the importance to the Caribbean Region.
Speaking later, President Bharrat Jagdeo said when he offered to stage Carifesta he had, “full confidence in the strength and ability of my people… we have to showcase our culture to the world”.
The president also said that there will be more foreigners in Guyana for the event than there was for Cricket World Cup and he noted that this would create tourism exposure for our country. He officially launched the Carifesta X and concluded by reciting the slogan “One Caribbean, One Purpose, Our Culture, Our Life”.
Pan Fusion, a national combined steel band, played a number of Caribbean rhythms throughout the entire event. An upbeat Chutney dance by Sandella Craig sent the crowd wild. However, it was the Limbo dance done by Trinidadian Makeba Gabriel that stole the show during the Carifesta X launching ceremony’s program.
Gabriel, bringing Trinida-dian flavour to the programme did the limbo under a horizontal pole, which was set on fire and situated inches from the floor of the stage. The performance amazed the crowd.
Representing Surinamese culture was a Maroon dance group from Suriname who beat drums, sang and danced to the old time rhythm to give the audience a true taste of Surinamese culture.
Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Desrey Fox decked out in a costume, which depicted her native background performed a native folk song for the vast audience and it was evident in the reaction from the crowd that they were proud of Dr Fox’s performance.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony said that Guyana had “the stage set” for Carifesta X and he presented packages to the visiting delegations.
