CARIFESTA XIII worthwhile investment
With a significantly lower budget from when this island last hosted CARIFESTA thirty-six years ago from $25 million to $6 million, Barbados is set to reap huge benefits from the hosting of this festival.
This was one of the points that was emphasized by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley as he delivered the feature address at the launch of this event recently at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC).
He said that regardless of whether you are an artist set to perform at the festival or hotels and restaurants providing accommodation and food for the visiting delegates, all stand to benefit.
“Suffice to say that we in Barbados are gearing up for one of the biggest cultural extravaganzas to come to our shores in a very, very long time. The last and only time Barbados hosted CARIFESTA was in 1981, some thirty-six (36) years ago. Much has indeed changed. Owing to the model followed then, CARIFESTA cost Barbados approximately BDS$25 million. Today, we are looking to expend BDS$6 million. This is a worthwhile investment particularly when one considers the benefits to be accrued.”
He continued, “For example, CARIFESTA XIII is expected to generate much economic activity on our island when the expected 3000 plus artists, artistes and artisans come to Barbados along with their friends and relatives to take part in the Festival. From hotels, to transport, to restaurants, to technical providers (and the list can go on) will benefit from the activity associated with the event, not to mention the event producers.
This is why we are celebrating the Artistic Fringe of the Festival for those private and community producers of events.”
One of the events that has been rebranded with the main purpose of generating further income for the participants is the ‘Grand Market and Buyers Mall: Food, Craft, Fashion, Decor, Literature, Health and Beauty’
“The usual programme elements highlighting the various areas of the arts will remain as part of the festival calendar. However, the Grand Market has been redesigned specifically to attract regional and international retail buyers of creative
goods, services and experiences. The Market Place will comprise of an open and indoor Grand Market and Buyers’ Shopping Mall here at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre and an annexed Music and Film Hub at the Sheraton Centre and Olympus Theatres; all created with the intention of taking creativity to market on a scale not previously seen at CARIFESTA. To date we have a commitment from seventy-five (75) buyers, one contact being from as far afield as South Africa. Some support is coming from Caribbean Export in this area, but largely the buyers are paying their own way. Fifty-two (52) participants have registered so far and the closing date is April 28th.”
The particular event which would showcase the best products available in the region is one that all patrons are being encouraged to attend.
“In addition to Retail Buyers, the general public will be invited to be part of this mall-like atmosphere. The focus will be on Culinary Products, products in the areas of Beauty and Wellness, Craft and Music.
The Grand Market is expected to be the popular hub for CARIFESTA XIII, featuring diverse products of the region, offering up tastes of the richness of our region on the main Grand Market stage each night of the Festival.” (PJT)