Business View Caribbean - August 2015 19
ing such topics of regional interest and concern as
HIV/AIDS, cultural identity and preservation of indig-
enous traditions. For the first time too, school children
will play an active role in the continued evolution of the
festival, important for deepening the experience and
relevance of Carifesta.
At this stage in the evolution of the Caribbean, the
pressures of existing in the global economic system,
increasing demands on the average family and heads
of households and the need to keep the region viable
amidst all its challenges, make it even more difficult
for Caribbean people to articulate a common vision.
Carifesta affords us with an opportunity to not just look
at ourselves, but create another level of development
that is set apart from the political directorates of the
region. The words of Carol Lawes in the last century
are still apt:
“We must use the impetus of Carifesta to form the ba-
sis of regional organisations of dancers, of theatre art-
ists, of visual artist, to provide support for each other
in a consistent manner … and encourage young peo-
ple to develop their talents and foster their own sense
of “Caribbeanness”.
The truth is, we already know what needs to be done.
The test will come in whether we can actually make
the vision come to fruition.
Courtesy Carifesta Trinidad and Tobago Committee
Dara Healy (
);
net
Objectives of Carifesta
1. Reaffirm the importance of the arts as a unify-
ing force in building a wholesome society
2. Deepen awareness and knowledge among
peoples of the Caribbean Region of the cultur-
al aspirations of their neighbours by exposing
them to each other’s culture through creative
activity
3. Develop the content of our regional culture as
well as its aesthetic forms
4. Foster maximum people participation in the
culture and in the arts of the region
5. Inspire organisation of on-going activities
such as local festivals, thus constantly im-
proving standards
