The dates have been decided and the Festival Committee is ready to move forward with the launch of the annual Anguilla Summer Festival which will run from July 28 to August 7. The dates were revealed at a press launch at the Ministry of Social Development on Friday March 18.
Minister of Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, expressed gratitude to Mr. John Benjamin, QC, and his team, for once again taking on what he described as an “onerous responsibility in organizing and putting together the Anguilla Summer Festival”. Government’s contribution to the summer festival this year will be the same as last year: EC $890,000. Mr Rogers spoke of its effect: “The ripple effect is what is important in the overall economy. The consumables and services, et cetera, help to stimulate the economy but nothing directly in government’s pockets”.
Chairman of the Anguilla Cultural and Festival Development Committee, Mr. John Benjamin, was grateful to Mrs. Chanelle Petty Barrett, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development. He said the Festival this year will be similar to that of last year. He alluded to the possible extension of the Festival from one to two weeks in the future as “a number of local promoters also want to get involved in Carnival and be registered under the carnival programme,” he said. Mr. Benjamin noted that this was good for the Festival as private events – such as Eyes Wide Shut, Wet Fete and others – help to boost it and keep visitors on island longer. Mr Benjamin also alluded to the Festival Committee already securing sponsorship from various entities. He noted that Heineken has already pledged US $40,000 while the Anguilla Port Authority has pledged EC $50,000.
The establishment of an Anguilla Cultural and Festival Development Foundation, backed by legislation, was discussed at great length. Minister Rogers noted that: “Going forward, I pledge that right after this year’s Summer Festival, the legislation, I’m hoping will be in place [for the Festival Development Foundation] we will have a proper structure set up”. Mrs. Chanelle Petty Barrett followed: “We are very hopeful that once the structure is in place we will have a better platform from which you can manage festivals. We want to make the festivals more sustainable as they are a medium through which culture is transmitted”.
Mr. Bernard Wattley also commented on the proposed Festival Development Foundation: “I also see the Foundation as the way forward for the organization, management and or coordination of cultural events and festivals on Anguilla. In my opinion, it will get rid of the adhocracy that now exists – providing instead a framework that will lend support, assist in capacity building and bring structure to the managements of festivals on Anguilla”.
The membership of the present Anguilla Cultural and Festival Development Committee is as follows:
? Mr John Benjamin (Chairperson)
? Ms Kay Gumbs (Administrative Officer)
? Ms Cleonette Lake (Financial Controller)
? Mr James Vanier Harrigan
? Mr Davon Carty
? Mr Romare Kelsick
? Ms Erlyn Wilkinson
? Mr Shayne Thompson
? Mr Keithley F T Lake
? Ms Countess Lisa Rey
? Mr Joseph Vanterpool
? Mr Renford Kelsick
? Ms Lelia Richardson
? A representative of the Department of Youth and Culture
? A representative of the Boat Racing Association
And the membership of the Anguilla Cultural and Festival Development Foundation Working Group – to plan for the implementation of the Anguilla Cultural and Festival Development Foundation – comprises:
? Permanent Secretary Culture (Chair)
? Mr John Benjamin
? Mr Alwyn Richardson
? Mr Bernard Wattley
? Mr Roy Carty
? Ms Patricia Harrigan
? Mr Abner Brooks
? Ms Merlyn Rogers
? A representative of the Department of Youth and Culture
? A representative of the Anguilla Tourist Board
The Anguilla Cultural and Festival Development Foundation is expected to play a key role in the managing and coordinating festivals by the end of 2016.
