The curtains came down on the thirteenth edition of the Caribbean Festival of Arts Carifesta XIII on Sunday evening.
The 10-day mega cultural event ended with a closing ceremony at Kensington Oval Ground, President Kennedy Drive, Bridgetown, Barbados. The night’s activities included a culmination of performances from various Caribbean countries that performed throughout the festival and the passing of the baton to next host country of Carifesta XIIII, Trinidad and Tobago.
A cultural dance being performed at the closing ceremony of Carifesta XIII at the Kensington Oval Ground, Bridgetown, Barbados
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Assistant Secretary General in charge of Human, Social Development at the Caricom Secretariat, Dr Douglas Slater told the large gathering that once again Carifesta has given the Caribbean an exquisite and diversities of wonderful performances of cultural expressions from visual and performing arts to film, fashion, literary arts and symposium series.
The Assistant Secretary General extended his regards on behalf of the Caribbean community for the hospitality received. He also expressed his condolences to the family and friends of late Guyanese participant Petal Frank who passed away during Carifesta.
Meanwhile, Barbados’ Culture Minister, Stephen Lashley noted that even though there was not a perfect start to Carifesta due to tropical storm Harvey, the team pulled together and “Carifesta XIII was a resounding success” with the participation of the 22 Caribbean countries.
Lashley proudly reported that the critical objectives of the festival were indeed met. “From discussions held with Ministers who were present and directors of culture we were able to recognise the ongoing importance of the culture industries to the development of national economies and the enrichment of culture capital. We were also able to promote the sustainability and competitiveness of the region’s creative industries and talent as significant forces in the modern economy.”
The Minister praised Guyana for its continued participation during the passing of its member Petal Frank. He then passed the baton to 2019 host country of Carifesta XIIII Trinidad and Tobago.
The Minister of Culture and Art of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Nyan Gadsby Dolly accepting the baton, thanked the host country Barbados for hosting an enjoyable and successful Carifesta XIII.
