Guyana’s hosting of this year’s Carifesta is a “source of pride” for all Guyanese according to President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Speaking at last night’s Opening Ceremony held at the National Stadium at Providence, the President said that Guyana had risen to the challenge of hosting the mega event, after only having approximately a year to prepare.
In his brief address before officially declaring the 10-day event open, the President highlighted the significance of Carifesta to the region. He described the festival as something which transcends all political, racial, social, national and language boundaries.
He mentioned that one of the main aims of Carifesta was to reflect the region’s multiplicity of languages, and he identified the presence of non-English speaking territories at this year’s festival as evidence of this being achieved. Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela are among the non-English speaking territories participating in this year’s festival.
President Jagdeo said that he was unaware of anywhere else in the world where there was such a large coming together of people from so many different countries for a cultural festival. He also promised that this year’s event would “appeal to the imagination of all” including “Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Amerindians and children.” Special activities have been dedicated to these groups in this year’s schedule of events.
Earlier in the evening, the audience was addressed by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Secretary General of Caricom Dr. Edwin Carrington and President of Suriname Runaldo Ventiaan.
Carrington described Carifesta as having an integral role in the building of community within the Caribbean.
He hailed the event as a “celebration of diversity and Caribbean identity” and encouraged those involved to enjoy “the richness and texture of the diverse Carifesta X programme”.
President Ventiaan, who is the Head of State responsible for culture in the Caribbean within the Caricom framework, underscored the importance of Carifesta as a source of regional integration. He mentioned that in the coming together of various cultural icons for an event such as this, much could be learnt. He re-emphasised some of the points made by Carrington, particularly as he highlighted Carifesta as one of the main means of “regional integration”.
Dr. Anthony, who is the Minister overseeing the organisation of Carifesta X, delivered the official welcome at last night’s proceedings.
He encouraged the visiting delegations to enjoy the festivities and promised that the affair would be a time for great celebration.
This is the second time Guyana will be hosting Carifesta, thirty-six years after the initial festival was held here in 1972.
The ten-day event will feature several activities including: country nights, super concerts, symposia, a fashion village, performing arts, religious-themed nights, super concerts, book launchings, a youth village, community festivals and master classes.