On Wednesday, August 7th, the Anguilla Social Security in collaboration with the Department of Youth and Culture came together to introduce, at a press conference, the delegates who would be attending this year’s CARIFESTA 14 events which will be staged at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Trinidad from August 16th to 24th.
Social Security’s Public Relations Officer, Ms. Rosanna Browne, revealed that Social Security had made a significant contribution towards meeting the expenses of some 60 persons. Social Security presented a cheque of EC$20,000.00 for this purpose.
Ms. Browne remarked: “Social Security is proud to offer sponsorship to the Anguilla delegation. Culture is part of our mandate and our Social Security Development Fund portfolio regards culture and the arts as one of our focus areas.”
She said that while Anguilla was at the time in the height of its Summer Festival, CARIFESTA was coming on the back of the local festival. She noted that some of those persons who were highlighted in the Anguilla Summer Festival are also participating in CARIFESTA activities. Prominent among them is the winner of the Senior Calypso Monarch Competition, FLOW’s Soca Rave Groovy Monarch and the Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch Contest: Ms. Roxanne Webster. She was highly applauded for her stellar achievements, and she said that she was looking forward to performing at CARIFESTA.
Also attending CARIFESTA 14 will be a group of cooks comprising Anguilla’s Culinary Team led by Mr. Dean Samuels, as well as the folklore band, Roots Binghy, headed by Trevor “Ras Bucket” Davis; the theatrical group, Stages Anguilla, represented by Ms. Sevrine Pradel, as well as the dance group, From Within Dance (FWD) represented by Ms. Destiny Bryan.
Ms. Avon Carty, Director of Youth and Culture, expressed her thanks to Social Security Board for making its generous contribution towards Anguilla’s participation: “What we have here is a result of many months of planning and organizing for this great CARIFESTA event. I really want to thank the artists from the various fields of culture and the arts who have indicated their interest in participating this year. Moreover, I would like to heartily thank the Social Security Board for coming on board with us. Their contribution will serve to magnificently offset our costs.”
Ms. Carty made mention of the fact that the Government of Anguilla was committed to supporting CARIFESTA as it has done throughout past years. She remarked that Anguilla’s contingent this year is the largest ever, and the delegation of 60 is committed and in for the long haul.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
