Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
R. Rose
September 1, 2017

CARIFESTA: do we really understand?

After all the apprehensions, the 13th edition of the Caribbean Festival of Arts and Culture (CARIFESTA) concluded in Barbados last Sunday night.The apprehensions stemmed both from the historical nature of the festival, host nations having backed out before due to financial or organizational difficulties, as well as the onset of what was then tropical storm Harvey, just as CARIFESTA was due to begin.

In the first case, since Barbados had won the bid to host the 2017 CARIFESTA, its economic situation had dramatically worsened, to the extent that many Barbadians began to question the wisdom of fulfilling this commitment. There seems to be little doubt that such difficulties must have impacted on that country’s ability to meet its obligations in the manner originally envisaged, but whatever the difficulties, Barbados can at least take credit for manfully sticking to its guns and hosting the festival, in what one parliamentarian admitted on Monday were “very difficult circumstances” (Government Senator James Paul quoted in the Barbadian media).

Paul was commenting on the festival, following public criticisms in Barbados and beyond about its organization. Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, for instance, is quoted as saying that she was “not impressed” by its execution, describing CARIFESTA XIII as being “poorly organized” and plagued by a “low turnout”. These views were corroborated by some of the Vincentian participants, and future organizers, most immediately Trinidad and Tobago, hosts in 2019, need to pay heed to the most recent experience.

But there are issues far bigger than shortcomings in hosting, pertaining to the nature of CARIFESTA itself and its role and place in Caribbean society and development. Since its inception in Guyana in 1972, with the late Forbes Burnham being a most enthusiastic host, the festival has been hosted by eight different nations, ranging in size from Guyana to tiny St Kitts/Nevis (2000), and in economic clout from Trinidad and Tobago (three times) to Haiti (2015).

Its lofty beginnings and high expectations have had to adjust to Caribbean realities, including what this writer perceives as a far less enthusiastic political leadership in the region, especially in its appreciation of the arts and culture in the Caribbean. Clearly there is need for deep discussion on these critical matters if CARIFESTA in particular, and the region in general, are to be central to our developmental thrusts.

To what degree do Caribbean governments, individually and collectively, see our development in these areas as being an integral part of Caribbean societal and economic development in the 21st century? How could the Caribbean continue to stage its premier cultural festival without a prominent place in it for the Caribbean’s greatest contribution to the world of music, the steelpan?

It was pleasing to note that in spite of the weaknesses and shortcomings, there was some attempt to link the festival and its exponents and exhibitors to the “market place”. The festival cannot merely be a “show”; it must provide a concrete base and opportunity for the flowering of the arts and culture within the region and, yes, an affirmation that there are “careers” here too, just as in medicine, engineering or law. Our fashion designers, visual arts exhibitors, playwrights and poets, pannists and drummers are every bit as important as those in more established and recognized professions. We must treat them, and CARIFESTA, as such.

In this regard, I must express my disappointment with what I can only perceive is a trend, manifested in the 2017 festival, of Carnival being considered almost as the essence of Vincentian cultural expression. The very nature of the delegation chosen, no disrespect to the artistes themselves, and the emphasis when we got the chance to be featured, speaks volumes. I hope that I was not alone, in viewing the closing ceremony, in noting with horror that while other countries placed emphasis on exhibiting and promoting indigenous expressions, SVG went for soca. Nothing wrong with soca at all, but is that the final message we wanted to leave with a worldwide audience? Is promotion of Carnival and all its perceived virtues, the best we have to offer?

I conclude by applauding our entire delegation for its representation in trying circumstances. However,I can only hope that we can engage as a nation in very frank discussion, arising out of our CARIFESTA experience, on these matters. They are essential to our very being and our forward thrust.

Renwick Rose is a community activist and social commentator.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Villa woman in  hospital after being stabbed over 20 times
    Front Page
    Villa woman in hospital after being stabbed over 20 times
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Police are said to be carrying out investigations into the stabbing of Rafia Sardine, a 20-year-old female of Villa. Reports are that Sardine, a FLOW ...
    RSVGPF most hacked of gov’t agencies
    Front Page
    RSVGPF most hacked of gov’t agencies
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    In St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), an analysis has found that the most hacked government entity was the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Polic...
    Event staged locally to mark Africa/ Caricom Day
    Front Page
    Event staged locally to mark Africa/ Caricom Day
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Leaders of Governments and institutions from countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the continent of Africa, gathered at the weekend for ...
    PM, proud of his constituents
    Front Page
    PM, proud of his constituents
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, is proud of the persons in his constituency who continue to aim for higher education. Dr Gonsalves is the parliame...
    Van conductor to be sentenced for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend
    Front Page
    Van conductor to be sentenced for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    A van conductor, who beat his five- months pregnant ex-girlfriend after she refused to get back with him, has been remanded pending sentencing. Onez J...
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    To the haunting timeless reggae melody of Jimmy Cliff’s classic ‘Journey’, Curtis King, who was selected as the candidate for the Unity Labour Party (...
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    To the haunting timeless reggae melody of Jimmy Cliff’s classic ‘Journey’, Curtis King, who was selected as the candidate for the Unity Labour Party (...
    Steel wielding Lowman’s Hill man to be sentenced tomorrow
    From the Courts, News
    Steel wielding Lowman’s Hill man to be sentenced tomorrow
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    A Lowman’s Hill man who struck another villager in his head with a piece of steel will know his fate tomorrow, September 10, 2025. Kevin Roberts, 25, ...
    Minister of Information Technology  emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    News
    Minister of Information Technology emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Robust cybersecurity must be at the heart of the digital transformation that is currently taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) says Min...
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    News
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Climate Change Resilience Network (CCRN) in collaboration with the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) recently embarked on a disaster preparedness initia...
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    News
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, is to obtain three more Heamodialysis machines as part of the revolution in the healthcare secto...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok