The Eighth Caribbean Festival for the Creative Arts (CARIFESTA) will be held in Suriname during the second half of next year. The host country, which holds the regional quasi-cabinet portfolio for Culture is going all out to ensure the success of the Festival scheduled for 25-30 August 2003.
A delegation led by Dr. Edward Greene, Assistant Secretary General, Human and Social Development, CARICOM Secretariat and including Dr. Carole Maison-Bishop, Programme Manager, Human Resource Development, CARICOM Secretariat and Dr. Allyson Leacock and Mr. Sydney Bartley of the Regional Cultural Committee (RCC) recently visited Suriname and held discussions with Hon. Walter Sandriman, Minister of Education and Community Development and His Excellency Ronald Venetiaan, President of the Republic of Suriname.
During the discussions, it was pointed out that a high-powered CARIFESTA Committee, chaired by Minister Sandriman is spearheading the activities at the national level. The Committee comprises officials of the government and persons from the private sector who will be working closely with the CARICOM Secretariat and the RCC in the preparations for the hosting of the Festival.
Under the slogan “Many Cultures – The Essence of Togetherness – The Spirit Of The Caribbean”, CARIFESTA V111 promises to be a stimulating and exciting occasion for regional as well as overseas visitors and is expected to feature a wide range of activities, focusing on new as well as traditional areas of culture.
The regional launch of CARIFESTA VIII will take place during the upcoming meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), which opens in Georgetown, Guyana on 23 October, 2002. This will be followed by a national launch in Suriname later in the year.
Following the tradition of previous CARIFESTAs, it is anticipated that the unique nature of the Region's cultural heritage will be showcased through full participation of Member States of CARICOM and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and other neighbouring countries.
CARIFESTA was first held in Guyana in 1972 and attracted artistes from over thirty (30) Caribbean and Latin American countries. Subsequent Festivals have been held in Jamaica, Cuba, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago (twice) and St. Kitts and Nevis.
