Artistic delegation heads to CARIFESTA in Suriname

A delegation of thirty-five Belizean performers, fashion designers, visual artists and writers, led by president of the National Institute of Culture and History Diane Haylock, left for Paramaribo, Suriname this morning, where they will be representing the Jewel for the next sixteen days.  The Caribbean Festival of Arts, CARIFESTA 2013, a celebration of the region’s cultural diversity, was launched in 1972 to promote unity among CARICOM member states.  On Friday, the annual event will commence with the participation of at least twenty-four countries.  This year, the Galen Eagles Band is part of a mission comprised of the Belize Dance Company, as well as other individual talents.  News Five caught up with the contingent this morning at the Phillip Goldson International Airport.

Karen Vernon, Theater Director, ICA

“The delegation we have this year is thirty-five people and we represent a broad cross-section of the arts in Belize.  We have music, dance, visual arts, literary arts, fashion and that’s clothing and jewelry.  So it’s a broad cross-section of arts representing in CARIFESTA this year for Belize.”

Isani Cayetano

“In terms of organizing and bringing all these talents together, what was that like?”

Karen Vernon

Karen Vernon

“Very hectic.  We got started a bit late so we had to double up in the end.  But at NICH, you know, we work together as a team and we pulled it off.  We’re still tying up some loose ends this morning as we’re leaving but, you know, we’re here and everybody is here and we’re ready to go and we’re ready to represent Belize in a high class fashion.”

Isani Cayetano

“What can the wider Caribbean expect from you guys?  I know you mentioned representing Belize to the fullest, but what can they expect from you in terms of something different this time around?”

Karen Vernon

“Okay.  You know Belize has a very diverse culture and we’re taking that along with us.  We have the Galen Eagles Band, I heard them rehearse yesterday and they are very good.  And they do not only Creole music but they do Garifuna.  Some of the members are just back from the Garifuna Collective [tour] so they are bringing that with them.  We have the Belize National Dance Company and you know the dance company is very broad in their representation as well.  The jewelry, the fashion, the literary arts, you know, we’re taking books.  We have a Belize booth that will be up the entire run of the CARIFESTA.  We will be giving away brochures, we have flags, we’ll be at the opening ceremony.  So, you know, Belize will be present and we’ll be very visible.”

CARIFESTA 2013 concludes on August twenty-fifth.  This year’s celebration is being held under the theme Culture for Development.