âReady, anxious and waiting for you,â is the message to the people of the Caribbean at home and in the diaspora from Trinidad and Tobago, as it launched CARIFESTA XIV in grand style in Port of Spain last evening. Dancers, drummers, spoken word artistes, and the sweet sound of the National Steel Symphony Orchestra, entertained an appreciative audience as the CARIFESTA logo was unveiled and the festival officially launched by Trinidad and Tobagoâs vivacious Culture minister, Nyan Gadsby-Dolly.
This roving mega festival which is held in a different Caribbean country every two years was first held in 1972 to celebrate the arts, to foster a vision of Caribbean unity and to advance Caribbean culture, regionally and internationally. Next year, for 10 days from August 16-25, visitors to the festival from sister countries of the Caribbean and the Caribbeanâs far-flung diaspora, are invited to travel to the land of the steelband, calypso and soca to enjoy the best the region has to offer in music, dance, theatre, film, the visual, culinary and literary arts, fashion, folklore and craft.
Under the theme âConnect, Share and Investâ visitors to CARIFESTA will not only be able to enjoy the best of ALL the countries of the Caribbean in one place, but those interested in doing business will find a ready-made marketplace for trading in cultural goods and services.
But more than anything else, CARIFESTA is wholesome family entertainment and is held at a time of year when families can together enjoy a wide range of activities suitable for all ages visiting one Caribbean country while being able to experience the cultures of several countries at one go. There is something extra special about the CARIFESTA experience in Trinidad because it provides a rare opportunity to enjoy some of the best elements of the world famous Trinidad Carnival in August!
If the launch event is any indication, the government of Trinidad and Tobago will be pulling out all the stops to make CARIFESTA 2019, the best ever in its 47 year history. Here is a checklist of some of what visitors to CARIFESTA can expect:
- Country nights dedicated to each participating country to showcase its unique arts and culture
- Signal events in dance, music visual arts, film theatre and fashion
- A Youth Village
- Community Festivals
- Street Festivals
- A super concert with some of the Caribbeanâs top artistes
- A film festival with feature films from across the region
- Mas Camp
- Fashion shows
- Panyard
- Literary Festival
- Caribbean Jazz Show
- Jâouvert
- Live Music District
- Visual Art Tours and Exhibitions
- Culinary demonstrations and cook-offs
- Rum Shop
- Comedy Show
- Food and Drink Festival
The list of activities goes on and on. And at the centre of it all â The Grand Market at the Queens Park Savannah, the Festival hub.
For more information and updates, travel information and accommodation options, visit the website www.carifesta.net
