Chaos reigned for a time as the distribution of free tickets for Carifesta at the various ticketing venues got off to a late start yesterday while patrons complained that some of the outlets had no events schedule pasted up to allow them to make informed choices about which tickets they wanted.
Guyanese turned out in their numbers at the different centres in Georgetown where the tickets were slated to be issued from 10am. Many people arrived even before that time, and with the late start a large number of patrons was forced to stand in line for hours.
Over at the National Cultural Centre, the issuing of tickets did not begin until a few minutes before 11. By this time, the people in the lines had become agitated and there were several clashes between the police and members of the crowd. Persons became further incensed by the attempts of some to join the line from the front, and this led to several verbal and physical confrontations, although the police intervened in these with some measure of success.
As the police tried their best to maintain order, they were aided by Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr Desrey Fox who arrived at the National Centre around 10.45 am. After going into the building for a time, she then emerged and spoke to the crowd.
She explained that the distribution of tickets was being delayed because they had to be sorted first. She asked the crowd to co-operate with the police to maintain order and shortly after she had spoken distribution did begin. Minutes later, the police erected barricades in an attempt to prevent persons from forcing their way into the lines.
Many members in the crowd expressed their frustration. One woman was heard to exclaim that the “the entire thing was wickedness” and that “it was only encouraging people to fight against each other.”
Another woman, Jennifer David, had travelled all the way from Timehri to get her tickets, and had to wait for over four hours before she was given them. She was peeved that despite her patience she had had to wait so long before being told anything by the authorities about the delay.
The line at the National Cultural Centre was particularly long, stretching from the front door of the centre, around the northern side of the building and into Homestretch Avenue where it ended in front of the NCN compound.
The situation was similar at the Theatre Guild in Parade Street, where the crowd spilled out onto the streets. Again, persons waiting to collect their tickets had to wait until after 11 am, and in the meantime there was much jostling and expressions of frustration. The Director of the Theatre Guild, Diana Abrams, as well as other theatre personnel tried their best to control the crowd, even making use of a public address system in the process.
When the tickets were finally handed out, persons were allowed one ticket for the opening and one for the closing ceremony and were only permitted to choose tickets for three other events.
At the Carifesta Secretariat in Middle Street, there was another massive turnout of people, with the queues even extending to Carmichael Street. As was the case at the other venues, persons were forced to wait for hours. Some in frustration attempted to push open the gates.
Over at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, distribution was better organised. Tickets were available shortly after 10 am and the line appeared to be moving at a fairly brisk pace.
Cricket Umpire Eddie Nichols was among the first to collect his tickets and he was pleased with the efficiency of the officials. He was able to collect one ticket each for the opening and closing ceremonies along with tickets for three other events. Stabroek News had been informed on Tuesday that tickets for the opening ceremony would only be available from the Secretariat.
However, as time progressed people in the line awaiting their turn began complaining that persons were coming out from the line at the cultural centre and joining the queue ahead of them. They began to complain loudly that they had taken time off work to come and get their tickets.
When Stabroek News visited the Sophia Exhibition Site shortly after midday, the line was short in comparison with those at the other venues. From all appearances, the queue was a bit more orderly. The major complaint coming from the people was that no tickets for the opening ceremony were available from that particular location. Attempts by this newspaper to ascertain why this was so proved futile.
A policeman at the site said that the crowd behaviour was generally good, but that initially there had been some disturbances when people realised that tickets for the opening ceremony were not being given out at that centre. However, tickets for the closing ceremony were available.
While at the site, the Stabroek News observed a woman who fainted. The American woman, Mary Ann Jeanlouis, said that she had been waiting for tickets since eight o’clock and just could not handle the heat. After she collapsed she was allowed to enter the compound to get her tickets.
Other persons complained that when they went to collect their tickets, there was no schedule of events in the ticket distribution area and as such they could not make informed choices about the tickets they wanted. (Mark McGowan)
