Georgetown, Guyana -- April 23, 2008 --  In the presence of a large number of Guyanese, overseas guests, dignitaries and representatives of various participating Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, the tenth Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) was launched in front of the Bank of Guyana, Main and Church Streets under the theme, “One Caribbean, One Purpose, Our Culture, Our Life”.  

Head of State, Bharrat Jagdeo, who proclaimed the festival open, stated that for Guyana to host the festival again is both a responsibility and a blessing.

Urging all Guyanese to take part in the festival, President Jagdeo said he wants Guyanese to understand the magnitude of what Government is trying to do in Guyana, as he recalled how Guyana had taken on the responsibility of hosting the festival for the second time.

“When the Bahamas said because of reasons unavoidable that they couldn’t host the programme, I offered Guyana as the host place where this festival would be staged and the reason I did so was because I have full confidence in the strength and ability of my people to put on an event that normally takes two years to stage, to stage it in one year,” the President told the large gathering who responded with loud applause.

 “We have a responsibility as a country that initiated the festival …and therefore we want to make CARIFESTA X a festival with a difference. We want to expand it beyond its traditional scope. It is not enough that we meet in the region and share this rich culture that has become our legacy and our patrimony among ourselves. We have to showcase our culture to the wider world and therefore I have taken the decision that we will go beyond the Caribbean,” he added.

He stated that this is because Guyana wants other countries to begin participating in the rich culture and legacy of the Caribbean.

On this note, he said confirmations of participation have already been made by countries such as Venezuela, Brazil, China, Morocco, Austria and a number of persons have already registered for the festival.  

“I can assure you that we will have more foreigners in Guyana for the festival than we had for World Cup Cricket. We have also decided that we want to involve all Guyana,” the Guyanese Leader announced.

He said that for the ten days of the festival (August 22-31)Government wants to ensure that everyone has something to do and this is why the festival will include a gospel festival simultaneously with super concerts, in order that religious persons can also take part. There will also be Hindu Bhajans and an Amerindian Village. He added that it is also hoped that the festival will be taken beyond its traditional boundaries.

President Jagdeo and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony with participants (An OP/Sandra Prince photo)  

The President then announced that in order to improve the level of the festival and the legacy of the occasion, Government has decided to resuscitate pan music in Guyana and in this light, has set aside $30M for this venture.

 “..So that right across the country young people could be exposed to the pan,” President Jagdeo said. He announced that Government has also decided to grant duty free concessions to musicians who will be bringing equipment into the country during the period.

According to the President, this is being done since Guyana is many times left out where the staging of major international events is concerned.

President Jagdeo said that Guyana’s hosting of the festival will allow it to boost its tourism industry and tourists will get the opportunity to witness all that Guyana has to offer.

He alluded to World Cup Cricket which was hosted by Guyana in 2007 and noted that after the event, Guyana was able to add to the stock of hotel rooms, hundreds of good quality rooms to boost its accommodation capacity.

A Trinidadian Limbo dancer performs during the launch of CARIFESTA X- April 23, 2008 (An OP/Sandra Prince photo) 

 “We see Carifesta as more than 10 days of events, but as a catalyst that will spur our region into a new vision of itself, to demonstrate that we are more alike than we are different and to search for new ways of linking ourselves together through the arts. This underscores not only the importance we attach to the festival but to the ideal of Caribbean unity,” the Head of State told the gathering.   He welcomed all visitors to Guyana and urged that they come to witness the splendour of the event.

The President urged all Guyanese to ensure that they take part, specifically emphasising that Government and Opposition too need to work together to ensure that the event is a success.    

The launching ceremony saw splendid performances by troupes from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname among other participants while visiting   delegations received packages on all they need to do to make the event successful.