| As the opening of Carifesta X nears, many of the activities are being streamlined, even as delegations begin increasing their list of persons coming to Guyana to participate in the mega-event.And yesterday, CLCIO officially unveiled a $4M fireworks plan to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, at the Carifesta Secretariat.Marketing Manager Venita Bovell said that the insurance company has already begun working with ranks of the Guyana Defence Force, since they — the ranks — would be carrying out the physical works for the grand display.She said that the fireworks display will be a ‘spectacle’ for those who are attending the opening and closing ceremonies of Carifesta X.Updating the media on the planed activities for the festival, Minister Anthony said that all the activities are now ‘falling in line’ as opening of the event draws closer.Accommodation and AirportWith 13 days remaining before the grand opening, Minister Anthony yesterday told the media that a number of hotels have already been fully booked.He,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, however, noted that there are still a few that have some rooms, and those may not be vacant for long.Addressing the issue of welcoming visitors at the airport, Dr. Anthony said that his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority, will be welcoming people as they come into the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.“They have already trained a number of persons, and that operation will go into effect from August 18. There will be a 24-hour shift system to welcome people as they arrive.It doesn’t matter what time the flights will be coming in…they will be there to welcome people and make sure that they feel comfortable,” Minister Anthony said.The minister said that, because of the number of persons coming to Guyana for the event, the possibility of chartered flights have already been explored, with positive results.Venue preparations Works are ongoing at all the venues, with many nearing completion, the minister said.He added that all the pieces for the stage that would be at the stadium have arrived, and after the Digicel Caribbean Football competition games, that stage will be put together. A dressing room has been added at the stadium, as well as additional sanitation blocks.At the National Park, he said, work is progressing, with three stands of the four stands already prepared.“They are now focusing on the Northern Stand, and that should be completed by early next week…They will also be installing the lighting towers.Those lights have arrived, and the foundation for those lights are being dug right now, so by next week those will be up and running.”At the Sophia Exhibition Site, the area with the stage needs some adjustments, and those will be done early next week, Minister Anthony said.“There are two main booths where the craft exhibitions are going to be…the army has graciously helped us…they have constructed 96 booths, and those should be completed today (yesterday). The Annex will be used for local persons who will be selling and displaying craft,” the minister said.In the Main Auditorium, construction of the booths has started, but those are only 30 percent completed.However, Minister Anthony is optimistic that construction will be completed next week.“We have already identified an area where fashion is going to be…the tent for that area has been erected and the booths are about 50 percent completed. The physical works are proceeding nicely. By next week, everything will be up and running.”The Gymnasium and the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall will also be venues for visual arts exhibitions during Carifesta.Stamps and Coins CollectionThe Carifesta Secretariat has been working with the National Trust and the Guyana Post Office Corporation to host the Stamp Exhibition.“With this arrangement, we have been repairing one of the GPO Buildings on Lamaha Street, and those repairs are 90 percent completed, and that’s where we will be hosting the Philatelic Arts exhibition both for the local and international exhibitions.”With the help of the Post Office, the Carifesta Secretariat will be issuing a special commemorative Carifesta X stamp, and very shortly these stamps will be on sale.“We are also working with the Bank of Guyana, and for the special event they have agreed to issue a commemorative coin. That coin, too, will be available very shortly. It was minted and it’s on its way to Guyana.”Culinary ArtsAs the Carifesta fever begins to spread, the culinary arts sub-committee will be giving a prelude to the event with a ‘Taste of Carifesta.’ This event will be hosted in the NCN Compound today.“They will be doing some of the recipes that they have identified. It is not only Guyanese food, but food from across the region. That fund-raiser is to help the Radio Needy Children’s Fund.”A book of recipes will also be compiled by the Carnegie School of Home Economics, the Carifesta Culinary Arts Committee and the Ministry of Education. This book will be out during Carifesta.“Eight countries have confirmed that they will be participating in the Culinary Fair, and right now the booths are under construction.We expect that by the end of next week all the booths will be up and running. We have a specially designated kitchen area and storage area.” There will also be a ‘black cake’ and ‘duck curry’ competition during Carifesta.A booklet will be produced and distributed by the Carifesta Secretariat to members of the public, with the events and venues of all the various activities happening during Carifesta.The Festival is returning to Guyana for the second time in 35 years, the first being in 1972, when Carifesta was born.Hosted under the theme: ‘One Caribbean, One purpose, Our Culture, Our Life’, the tenth staging of Carifesta will boast an impressive line-up of activities, including the opening and closing ceremonies, culinary, visual, literary and performing arts, community festivals, grand cultural markets, child/youth fora, symposia and workshops, as well as signal events and four super concerts. |
