SVG takes centre stage at CARIFESTA closing

In the midst of the paratroopers from the Guyana Defense Force, millions of dollars in fireworks and the excitement of thousands of delegates from more that 30 countries, St. Vincent and the Grenadines played a vital part in the closing ceremony of CARIFESTA X last Sunday.{{more}}

Delegates from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines contingent took part in the historic event staged at the National Stadium in Providence, Guyana, with a performance by the National Dance Group on the event’s centre stage.

The ten-member group performed their popular dance number ‘Our Inheritance’ at the request of the organizing committee.

The piece was well received throughout the ten-day festival, and was performed along with other dances, folk songs, drumming and pan pieces, at various venues around Guyana’s capital and surroundings.

SVG’s performance on Sunday night was a part of the closing ceremony’s grand spectacular, which opened with the landing of eight paratroopers from the Guyana Defence Force in the stadium, and ended with a fireworks display.

The ceremony was dotted with singing, dancing, poetry and drumming by a number of countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Barbados, Suriname, host country Guyana, and of course the next CARIFESTA host Bahamas.

The Bahamians gave an early taste of what is to be expected come 2010, with a display of their Junkanoo Festival.

Culture Minister Charles Maynard accepted the CARIFESTA scroll from Guyana’s Minister of Culture Dr. Frank Anthony, before President Bharrat Jagdeo officially declared the event closed.

This country’s participation in the event; which was considered the largest to date, proved an eye opening and learning experience for the young contingent, who look forward to attending again in the next two years.