PROMOTING OUR CULTURE

AT least one local community will be seeking to capitalise on CARIFESTA XIII when it takes place here next month.

Yesterday during a press conference held at the historic Clifton Hall Great House, it was announced that on August 26, the playing field at Hothersal, St. John will be transformed into a cultural sphere promoting all things Barbadian.

Terian Reid, Member of the Planning Committee, said that the event, dubbed ‘A Taste of Bajan Village Life and Sunset Concert’, is intended to attract locals and delegates of Carifesta to participate in a cultural exchange reinforcing Caribbean unity. This free event, she said, is suited for the entire family and will feature a range of activities and entertainment displays for all ages. She added that interested persons can also engage in St. John Heritage Tours and bar hopping, in a bus crawl for a fee.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Product Authority, Dr. Kerry Hall, has lauded the initiative and is urging other communities to undertake similar ventures. She said it is an excellent way to show that Barbados is more than sand, sea and sun.

“As you well know, our mandate is to develop a tourism product in Barbados that is uniquely Barbadian and we seek to showcase everything about Barbados – our rich history, our culture, our people, and this event falls directly in line with that mandate, our philosophy and vision for Barbados,” she said.

Hall noted that a large part of what they do is to empower communities to showcase the unique components of this island’s rich culture and history and she strongly believes that the plans for the upcoming event definitely assist in achieving those goals.

“We also know there will be a lot of visitors on the island and events such as this, where this community is empowered and is taking the initiative to put on an event that will showcase our local foods, our arts and crafts, beautiful tours of the areas, our natural and our heritage assets; not to mention our cultural assets and showcasing our talented Barbadians in an excellent entertainment event. This event is one we would want to see replicated across the entire country,” she said.

The event is being hosted by the Islands Incentives and Meetings Inc. and the St. John Community, and is being sponsored by the Barbados Tourism Product Authority, the Community Development Department, the Constituency Councils of Barbados, Jeta Designs and the Transport Board. The latter, says Tito Holder, events co-ordinator with the Islands Incentives and Meetings, is working closely with the organisers to set up three park and ride locations, including the St. John’s Parish Church parking lot. He added that the Transport Board will also be offering round-trip bus shuttles from Fairchild Street and the Speightstown Bus Terminals. The costs of those shuttles will be $5 and $7 respectively.

Persons attending the event will be able to get fresh produce at the farmers’ market, and buy an array of Barbadian delicacies from the several food and drinks stalls that will be set up. Patrons can also purchase craft and jewellery and be entertained by presentations from the Carifesta delegation and local artistes. (JRT)