By itself this CARIFESTA IX most certainly gave credence to its theme “Celebrating Our People, Contesting The World Stage” .

From here at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain to San Fernando to Caroni to Sangre Grande to Tobago, CARIFESTA was brought to the people not only of Trinidad and Tobago but of the Region. The past ten days have seen performances, demonstrations and presentations by artists, artistes, dancers, fashion designers and authors representing at least thirty countries from the English, French, Spanish and Dutch speaking Caribbean, as well as from Latin America and from even further afield. Trinidad and Tobago was truly transformed into the meeting place of the cultural hearts and minds of the Caribbean Community. It was the veritable cultural heartbeat of the Caribbean Region.

In spite of the many challenges which presented themselves in the initial stages of the festival - and there were some - the dynamic spirit of being truly Caribbean, blossomed, overcame and spread the message of unity. Ladies and gentlemen let us applaud this realization as there are many regions of the world that would have given anything to be in the position that this region has been over the last ten days!

Ladies and gentlemen this CARIFESTA IX will be seen in the fullness of time as the bridge between what the festival was and what it eventually became. Just as life is not static so also is cultural expression - not static - for it reflects life and will evolve. From here on we will see a new CARIFESTA model emerging beginning with the next scheduled CARIFESTA in 2008. With the new strategic plan it is envisaged that CARIFESTA would eventually add to its already many dimensions critical among them, the element of economic benefit.

We are all aware, and indeed it is most regrettable, that those in our society who most invest their creative spirit and talents are among the least compensated. What price a soul? But there should and can be rewards for their efforts. Reflect on the fact that CARIFESTA is important to all of us because it celebrates not our artists but as well the many textures and layers of the creative expression of us all. And it is through the work of our artists that we most appreciate our common heritage while respecting our diversity. It is also through artists that we experience the essence of who we are as their work enables us to confront our history, contest our present condition and chart our future.

In that context in mega events such as CARIFESTA should be managed in a fashion that fills rather than drains the public purse, given the direct and indirect benefits it brings to various sectors such as tourism and travel, restaurants and night life. We look forward therefore to CARIFESTA becoming a festival that provides more opportunities for the professional development of our artists including opportunities for exchange and international exposure. To become so, however, it must have a permanent management structure, wider media coverage that reaches regional and diasporic audiences and more comprehensive sectoral interlinkage and contribution.

The first test of the plan for a new CARIFESTA characterized by these ideas could hardly be carried out in a more suitable and propitious venue than The Bahamas. That CARICOM Member State’s vast experience in tourism and its well earned tagline, Its better in the Bahamas, seems sure to be fully tested come 2008. The event is off to a good start because CARIFESTA X is already historic as it will be the first time that the festival will be staged in The Bahamas.

The Bahamas boasts a rich cultural heritage including its famous Junkanoo, its craft, its art and its very own music, which I am told is known as “rake and scrape”. Again, I am advised that this music has identifiable strains of the reggae and the calypso rhythms. It must be noted that at this CARIFESTA IX, The Bahamas was well represented by a very sizeable contingent which itself should be an indication of the strength of its desire to ensure the success of CARIFESTA X. Whether by chance or design they could therefore not have been a better choice to signal the coming of the new Caribbean Festival of Arts - CARIFESTA X. We therefore await 2008 with very high expectations. As the new vision for CARIFESTA states we look forward to “cultural and artistic excellence bringing economic benefits, uniting the region and exciting all our peoples”.

At this juncture Ladies and Gentlemen, the above having been said, it is with deep gratitude and enormous pleasure that, on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and particularly the Conference of Heads of Government, I extend our deepest appreciation and thanks to the many countries and organizations that have participated and contributed so significantly to the success of CARIFESTA IX.

No thanks and appreciation could be too much for the Government and People of Trinidad and Tobago and notably its Minister of Community Development and Gender Affairs, and all its support organizations for the hard work and long hours that were put in to make this CARIFESTA IX the success it has been. The Community particularly expresses its sincere appreciation to the government and people, not only for making the country available but for the resources they provided and for amply demonstrating their unique brand of hospitality.

I also wish to pay due recognition to the work done by the Interim Festival Directorate, the Regional Cultural Committee, the Caricom Task Force on CARIFESTA and to my own staff at the Caricom Secretariat. I know without a doubt that they have worked tirelessly to get CARIFESTA IX off the ground and despite its many difficulties what a splendid job they have done. I must warn them however, that the reward for good work is more work. Get ready therefore for CARIFESTA X.

So, as we pass the Caribbean cultural baton to the Bahamas “M’weh Keley, weh’U - come, lets go, I will see you later”. See you all in two years as we celebrate CARIFESTA X in that great Caribbean archipelago to the north.

I now wish you a safe journey as you return to your individual homelands.

THANK YOU.

Source: caricom.org