MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony said that Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA) is escalating from being just a Caribbean event with a team from Indonesia coming to participate in this historic event from August 22-31.

Speaking at the launching of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company launching of the 2008 Telephone Directory, he said that the delegation will comprise of 25 persons.

Also, he said additionally a team from Morocco is expected.

“People around world want to join us in expressing not only our creativity but their creativity”, he noted.

He said this shows that culture is not just about one region in the world but the world as a whole.

The Minister said countries in Africa and also China have also expressed interest in coming.

He said currently more than 19 sub-committee comprising of over 250 persons are involved in CARIFESTA X preparations.

“Alot of people have nostalgia about what happen in 1972 …they remember the things that happen and they want it to be like that …but from what I am seeing, it is going to be even bigger,” he declared.

He observed that in the first CARIFESTA about 500 children took part of the opening ceremony and this year, they plan to have 1000 children.

Dr. Anthony said between 1500-2000 artistes are expected to come to this country to participate in this occasion.

“It will be a cultural experience across the spectrum,” he declared.

Guyana Classics
He disclosed that to commemorate our rich body of literature, a special project called the ‘Guyana classics’ will be launched during CARIFESTA, to bring back our rich literary traditions.

“I don’t think many people realise the depth of our rich literary heritage we have,’” he pointed out.

It will bring forth books that this generation of Guyanese has perhaps never seen including history books and a host of other things, he noted.

He observed that we are known as the English speaking country in the Region but have a rich body of languages including the various Amerindian languages.

“This is part of who we are as Guyanese… this is part of our linguistic heritage,” he proclaimed.

The Minister observed that many countries can boost of such rich linguistic heritage as us.

Amerindian village
Another component of CARIFESTA he said will be the Amerindian village at the Sophia Exhibition Site which will showcase various architecture of the different Amerindian tribes.

He noted that various tribes have different building styles and diverse aspect of their life being portray in the buildings.

Symposia
He said too that another important component of this event is the symposia which will focus on culture in an academic and practical way.

It will cover our cultural history, past and where we are as a Caribbean people in terms of our culture and where we are headed.

Dr. Anthony said it is important to discuss what can be done to carve our place in the world as it relates to culture.

He also observed that creativity and cultural activities have been showcased over the years, using creativity and creative industries to generate income.

The Minister questioned why we in the Caribbean cannot use our talents and industries to generate income and help to develop our region.

One of things that need to be discussed is how to make the framework to encourage our artistes to work here and contribute to our region.

“…the symposia will be important part of this event,” he pointed out.

Legendary Caribbean poet Derek Walcott will be opening the symposia and have agreed to have a class with young writers, he disclosed.

National Steel Band
He said the Ministry is also doing tangible things to resuscitate the culture in our country which include the launching of the National Steel Band shortly.

The Minister said they have already order special pans from Trinidad and also here.

Drama
Alluding to drama, he said that the work on the theatre guild will be done for Carifesta and it will be a high point for drama in the country not only during Carifesta.

He disclosed that they have invested $10M in a training programme for about 250 young people in drama.

Dr. Anthony said they will be trained in over 16 components of drama ranging from producing a show to managing the lights.

He also said this programme will start shortly with advertisement for persons interested already in the newspapers.

According to him, a lot of people see culture as recreational but by training and certifying persons they can acquire a job in light of this kind of resurgence of our culture in our country.

Fashion
The Minister noted that fashion will also play a dominant role during CARIFESTA with not only designers’ booths at Sophia Exhibition but also fashion shows.

He said the high point of this will be the Fashion Weekend which will be staged at the Buddy’s International Hotel.

Volunteers
He encouraged persons to come out and volunteer as there is a need for a lot of assistance.

The Minister noted that the Ministry will not only need volunteers for Georgetown but other regions across the country.

During the CWC more than 1500 volunteers took part and they will need more volunteers for CARIFESTA, he said.

Talented persons to register
Dr. Anthony also encouraged persons who have some form of talent to register and get an opportunity to take part of this event.

“…we want to give people an opportunity to be part of CARIFESTA,” he said.

Enhancement of community
He also noted that our environment was cleaned for CWC but we did not sustain it.

The Minister encouraged persons to be ‘change agent’ within their communities and start to clean and enhance their communities.

Courteous
He said it is important for businesses to have courteous staff and said the Ministry is willing to provide some training for staff since it is important to be courteous.

“We need to be more courteous… we must start a new epidemic of good manners in this country,” he urged.

The Minister also noted that the children art and drama competition; music and talent search; and many other events which create an opportunity for us to get involve in CARIFESTA.

Dr. Anthony conceded that CARIFESTA is exciting for culture and the resurgence of Guyanese and Caribbean culture

“It is an experience for all of us,” he asserted.

He urged all Guyanese to come onboard in order to place Guyana on the map and to exhibit that legendary hospitality we are proud of.