MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony has urged the congregation of the Winners Cathedral Church, D’Urban Street, to become an integral part of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) X activities.

During an address to the congregation on Monday, Minister Anthony said that the church community is an essential institution which cannot be ignored and his Ministry has opted to work with the religious community in a substantial way.

He pointed out that among the events which will be slated for Carifesta X will be different nights for various religions.

“In previous Carifestas’ we have not harnessed the talents that exist in the Diaspora, and so we have put in place structures by creating chapters in New York, Canada and the United Kingdom,” Minister Anthony said.

The culture Ministry is promoting Carifesta at three levels — national, regional and international.

He highlighted that stakeholders, representatives and Non-Governmental Organizations at the national, regional and international levels are involved and enthused about Carifesta, and expressed the hope that the religious community can get on board in this symbolic event.

Dr. Anthony told the congregation that a lot of emphasis has been placed on security and assured them many persons will enjoy Carifesta.

He told the congregation that there is a need for volunteers and urged the religious community to get persons to assist the Ministry to promote the event by spreading the message to other persons.

Carifesta X will have a number of innovations. The first will be a public arts project where murals and sculptures will be showcased in Georgetown.

An art project sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will be launched for youths in Guyana and the region.

The top five entries will be showcased at a special children’s art exhibition during Carifesta.

Other innovations will be an interactive village for youths to interact with technology.

“This year, when we host Carifesta, the youth village must be more interactive. We must guide young people,” he said.

He said, too, that for the first time there will be a Caribbean edutainment conference held in Guyana during Carifesta.

Fifty persons will be brought from various parts of the Caribbean Region to participate in edutainment and interact with Guyanese.

Dr. Anthony said that Caribbean talent will be used to reach young people and urged the church community to make a request to his ministry, so that youths can work with the institution.

Carifesta celebrations first took place in Guyana in 1972 and lasted for three weeks. It will be hosted for 10 days from August 22 to 31. It is expected that there will be more than 100 events.