PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The 14th edition of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) ended here late last month with the country’s culture minister saying there had been significant achievements during the 11-day event.
According to Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, the festival, which attracted participants from Caribbean countries, as well as Canada, had achieved the mission “to take our Caribbean film, dance, music, theatre, vision arts, food and fashion and to meticulously devise an impactful master plan to present these offerings to the people of the region and diaspora with a world class finish.”
As had been the situation at the opening ceremony, the closure allowed for the exposure of Caribbean talent in song, dance and visual arts. Dr. Douglas Slater, assistant secretary general of the Caribbean community (CARICOM) called CARIFESTA “another exciting experience and a platform for regional integration.”
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At least 10 culture ministers from the Caribbean attended CARIFESTA.
“This is a record number in terms of attendance in recent CARIFESTAs and it is an excellent sign of the commitment of or governments to further developing CARIFESTA, culture and the arts in our region,” said Slater.
T&T’s Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert was also pleased with the financial and other contributions made by the private sector towards the success of CARIFESTA.
“This CAIFESTA XIV was a resounding success, it was incident free, highest quality, well attended,” said Imbert. “It was a safe place for your family.”
Imbert said T&T intends to build upon the festival.
“We will use what we have learnt here to revitalize our rural and urban communities with cultural showcases and unique community oriented festivals,” he said.
