The Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA) which was first held in 1972 is a gathering of over 23 Caribbean and Latin America nations to celebrate and express the spirit of the people in art, music, food, folklore, theatre and dance. Under the theme “Asserting Our Culture, Celebrating Ourselves,” CARIFESTA XIII will be held in Barbados from August 17-27, 2017.
This mega festival, held every two years, is the biggest cultural display in the Caribbean giving islands, such as Anguilla, a platform to showcase up and coming talented individuals on a grand stage. Anguilla’s participation is being coordinated by the Department of Youth & Culture (DYC), and the Government of Anguilla has committed EC$38,957 to assist in covering costs.
The Anguilla Contingent is made up of: STAGES Theatre Arts Group – led by Collette Jones-Chin: 15 persons; From Within Dance – led by Amber Woodley: 8 persons; ALHCS Mixed Ensemble: comprising four young musicians – Azariah Carty, Michael Christie, Michael Martin and Damarai Gumbs. And individual artists including Courtney Devonish, Louise Brooks, Vanessa Croft-Thompson, Rebecca Webster and Wayne ‘Porkyman’Hodge.
The participants have expressed much excitement to be part of such a large cultural display in the region.
The Anguilla delegation will be led by Programme Officer of Culture and the Arts (DYC), Avon Carty. It will be in Barbados from August 16-23 2017 and the From Within Dance group from 19-26 August.
STAGES Theatre Arts Group will be holding a fundraising showcase at Paradise Cove on August 14, 2017 to cover further costs of travel.
CARIFESTA XIII will be the largest exhibit of Caribbean cultural goods and services which allows the festival to generate economic benefits. At the 13th edition in Barbados, a new programme element has been introduced: the Grand Market & Buyers’ Shopping Mall. This trade event is designed to be a marketplace for buyers, distributors and exhibitors to showcase the emergence of Caribbean cultural and creative industries.
