The Editor
The Anguillian
Dear Mr. Editor:
LOSS OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS CALYPSO SHOW
It is unfortunate to hear that this year’s Summer Festival does not include the Leeward Islands Calypso show. This show over the years has attracted many visitors to our island especially from our neighbouring islands in particular St Kitts with the highly entertaining King Konris and his lyrics. The Leeward Island show has put Anguilla on a pedestal from the rest of the islands in the region – and it is very disappointing that government, or even other officials, did not make a strong case to have it included in the this year’s schedule.
While government continues to say it has no money, government finds money for what it wants – like the recently-announced million dollar contract for another PR agency when we already have the Cheryl Andrews marketing firm. Why should another person get a pay cheque from our dollars? And now here is it that, because of limited funds, the carnival schedule has been cut resulting in the loss of the Leeward Island show. If this show is not included in this year’s carnival line-up, and if the organizers do not make a case to have the show, I would not be surprised if another island picks up our Leeward Islands show. Sometimes we must put country above self and do what is right – and the Leeward Islands show is one of the highly anticipated Carnival events.
It is unfortunate that government has shut down the Festival Office when in many countries, in the region, governments recognize the importance of its premier cultural events. Carnival preparations and promotions should be done everyday rather than 2 or 3 months in advance. Look at St Maarten – carnival has just finished and the next day they have a new banner out promoting Carnival. What has Anguilla done??? Carnival finished in August 2012 and the Carnival talk or its schedule is released in May. Utter rubbish!!! While a Chairman is appointed to oversee the festivities, it is a voluntary position – so why would someone who is not paid go beyond the call of duty to ensure that we have a well marketed and promoted Carnival. Many Caribbean islands have their carnivals marketed in the US and elsewhere. What are we really doing to ensure that visitors, or Anguillians abroad, come to what we say is our premier event?
Much more needs to be done. We had a Festival Office but government put itself before the country and got rid of Briggy. I guess government prefers to put its money in legal fees. Oh well…. all of us must do what we need to do to ensure that we have a full calendar of events. What about the Prince and Princess show, the Jr Calyspo show? Let us do more and put our money where our mouths are to ensure that we do have a premier event.
Carnival Lover
