Georgetown: The Ministry of Education held its first meeting with the main stakeholders who will be assisting in fine-tuning Guyana’s participation at Carifesta XIII. The event is scheduled for August 17- 27, 2017 in Barbados.
The theme for Carifesta XIII is “Asserting Our Culture, Celebrating Ourselves.” Guyana has already registered to field a contingent to the event.
On Friday more than 25 officials and creative minds were briefed by the Minister within the Ministry of Education, Hon, Nicolette Henry and Special Projects Officer, Mr. Lennox Canterbury on the expectations and responsibilities at the local and regional levels.
The group is expected to charter a way forward to ensure Guyana’s active participation at the regional event in keeping with the overarching theme of presenting the country as a ‘Green-State’ to the Caribbean and the World. That concept was articulated by Minister Henry to the creative minds present.
Guyana is expected to field a team of representatives to this major culture, arts and entertainment event in more than 13 categories. These include Craft, Culinary Arts, Fashion, Film Festival, Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Symposia, Storytelling Events, Grand Cultural Market, Trade Fair, Youth Focus and Community Festival.
The group was also apprised of the additional fringe activities for artists outside of the government-sponsored delegations. Those include the Caribbean Rum Festival, Trade Fair and Market for producers/suppliers of artistic products, Body and Soul Line (herbs, healthy lifestyles, massages, foods and animation.
As part of the Guyana delegation proposal (tentative) has highlighted several persons as Steering Committee Heads to work on a blue-print for each category of participation. They were informed by Minister Henry that these must be guided by the overarching theme of Guyana leading the way for a ‘greener world’. “This is beyond just looking at the colour green in conceptualizing the green agenda,” the Minister stated. She pointed to examples such as the LCDs, use of renewable energy, eliminating pollution and the reduction of the health burden.
Meanwhile, the team was also informed that as part of this year’s Carifesta in Barbados, a youth calypso competition is carded. “Barbados has promised to send a team of talented scouts to the Guyana Junior Calypso Competition to select a competitor to the event,” Mr. Canterbury disclosed.
Public auditions for possible participants are set for March 2017 at the Umana Yana. It was emphasized that the criteria and conditions set by the conveners must be able to withstand national scrutiny. It is proposed that before Guyana’s Contingent wing-out to Barbados that their package should be showcased locally.
The team has been tasked to complete their respective blueprints for the next committee engagement set for January 27, 2017.
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