CULTURE-ST. KITTS/NEVIS: Going for Carifesta

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Patrick Smikle

BASSETERRE, Jun 25 1996 (IPS) - St Kitts-Nevis, a small nation in the eastern Caribbean, is making a determined bid to boost indigenous culture with a massive undertaking — hosting the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA).

“We want to turn our little country into a hot spot for cultural activity,” says Minister of Culture, G.A. Astaphan. “And we want to do this not as mavericks, but within the framework of our regional commitments.”

Carifesta, conceived as a celebration of the Caribbean region’s arts and culture, and seen as a vehicle to help propel the regional integration process, has been held on five previous occasions. Its next renewal is scheduled for 1998.

But it is a mammoth undertaking that strained larger territories of the Caribbean. Inaugurated in Guyana in 1972, Carifesta was revived in Jamaica four years later. Cuba hosted the event in 1979 and Barbados in 1981. An 11-year hiatus followed, until the event was revived in Trinidad and Tobago in 1992.

Jamaica backed out of a commitment to host the 1995 renewal, citing financial constraints, forcing Trinidad and Tobago to step in again.

St Kitts-Nevis’ bid to host Carifesta is only part of an overall programme by the one year old Labour Party government to revive the cultural life of the two-island federation, officials say.

This has been a recurring theme of Astaphan’s speeches since he was assigned the Tourism, Culture and Environment portfolio in the Labour Party cabinet last July. He argues that there can be no genuine and sustainable social and economic development that does not take into consideration the culture of a country.

“Any policy for development of an economy and society must be profoundly sensitive to and inspired by culture. Culture is not only the fruit but is also the root of development and must be considered in every phase and aspect of the development process,” he says.

Observers say statements like this have enhanced Astaphan’s and his government’s popularity among performers, artists, and cultural workers in St. Kitts-Nevis as well as other countries in the region.

A department of culture has been established with a director, a projects officer and specialists in music, dance and drama. The department’s budget has been increased by more than 500 percent — up from the 35,000 allocated by the previous administration.

A new craft centre, a national centre for the performing arts and a museum are to be established. Legislation is to go to the National Assembly to establish the institutional framework for this cultural revival.

A music festival will be staged here from Jun. 26-30. There will be annual drama, dance and arts festivals.

“Our little country has become very serious about culture in development,” says Astaphan. “We are deeply committed to the regional effort and are ready to demonstrate that commitment. Over the next few months we shall be taking some bold steps.”

Next step is for St Kitts-Nevis to venture into something others are shying away from — hosting the regional festival of arts and craft. Officially St Christopher and Nevis, the country is 103 square miles with a population of 44,000.

Carifesta was meant to expose the different peoples of the Caribbean to various aspects of each others culture and thereby help break down barriers.

Its core activities cover the performing arts, literature, visual art, film and video production. These activities are supposed to be designed and staged in ways which facilitate community participation, highlight the contribution of the indigenous peoples to regional development and honour those who have achieved excellence in these fields.

St Kitts-Nevis’ bid is yet to be approved, but the Ministry of Culture has already embarked on preliminary planning.

With sponsorship from the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Ministry earlier this month convened a meeting of some of the region’s top cultural workers — including representatives from some of the countries which have staged Carifesta in the past — for a brainstorming session.