The power of culture

by Maxwell Haywood 06.JUL.07

The 30th anniversary of carnival in the July sun should be seen as a big deal for St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). This national festival is the only one in SVG that makes use of almost all the major cultural art forms. Moreover, the festival brings together people from all social classes and groups to participate in it. Indeed at the national level, Vincy Mas provides universal coverage in terms of its cultural inclusiveness.{{more}}

The cultural artistes operate within a specific national context which on the one hand is marked by social discontent and social misalignment, increasing political divisiveness, unrealized economic development potential, and cultural doubt. On the other hand the context is distinguished by a spirit of resilience, resistance, cheerfulness, joy, and goodwill. And if the mind naturally reflects reality, then the cultural artistes are going to reflect these issues and characteristics in their work.

In many countries, cultural artistes have been using their talent to promote peace, social justice and unity. Cultural arts such as music, theatre, poetry, fine arts, and dance have been instrumental in the development of nations. In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, for example, these art forms express the Vincentian spirit.

If one closely assesses the cultural arts heritage in SVG, it becomes very clear that cultural artistes as a group serve as a critical force in the development of society. The heritage of 30 years of Vincentian Mas in the July sun reflects part of the carnival theme dubbed – “the power of culture.” This theme speaks to the fact that development relies on the quality of the imagination. This means that the objectives of national development could never be achieved if the creative energy of the population is stifled.

The power of culture sheds light on the idea that Vincentian Mas has the historical responsibility to use the cultural arts to nourish the creative imagination and the creative energies of the population.

Over these thirty years of Vincy Mas, enormous creative energies have been spent in creating products of the Vincentian imagination. Carnival has been able to accomplish the task of releasing the enormous creative potential residing in the mind and body of Vincentians. Carnival demonstrates to us that when there is no rigid bureaucracy, the people’s creativity will flower.

Some of the most stunning work of the imagination I have ever seen was in SVG’s Mas over the past 30 years. It is Vincy Mas that has allowed many citizens to enjoy some of the most soulful and inspiring musical compositions, theater/stage presentations, and costume bands. A survey of the national population will highlight that these are permanently etched in the memories of Vincentians, and these memories come to the rescue when or if called on to reproduce new and higher levels of work of the imagination. It is a case of iron sharpening iron. Moreover, it is a lesson in the basics of Vincentian identity.

Unfortunately, it is often taken for granted that the artiste is the major driving force in all this. It is not sufficiently acknowledged that cultural artistes represent the nation’s moods, needs, pains and achievements. We have yet to fully embrace the cultural artiste as a very productive citizen of the society. When one listens to our artistes one could hear their concerns about the lack of respect that their work gets despite the value they add to the national psyche.

Our artistes are able to tap the popular mood and mobilize people for national action. With so many national development challenges facing SVG, the contributions of artistes are needed now more than ever as the nation tries to address issues of social justice, accountability, corruption, productivity, peace, and unity. The inspirational characteristics of artistes and their capacity for mass communication are indispensable for the progress of SVG. Therefore, it is time to give the artistes and other cultural workers their due respect for their important role in reflecting the spirit of Vincentians and stimulating our popular imagination.