By K. Rose/API from Carifesta
The delegation representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the 2017 Carifesta (Caribbean Festival of Arts) is already making an impact at the regional arts festival.
Marlon Joseph, hospitality officer at St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority and a member of the local delegation, says his organisation took the opportunity to make a presence at Carifesta as the event attracts many from the region, which is one of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ largest tourism market.
He says the primary goal of the tourism authority is to promote SVG as a tourism destination. So far, according to Joseph, the response to the SVG booth has been fabulous.
Twelve small business operators also represent the private sector. The Centre for Enterprise Development coordinated their participation.
The delegation has representatives in different categories: two in agro processed goods (gourmet section), two in the craft section, six in the country booth showcasing health and wellness, jewellery and fashion. Local designers Odini Sutherland creator of the Peta Odini line and Kimon Baptiste-St. Rose, Kimmysticclo are also representing this country through Caribbean Export.
The designers are part of 41 regional designers showcasing their creations at Carifesta 2017. Their designs were on display at one of the daily fashion shows held on Sunday. Both were well received.
CED’s training coordinator, Keisha Phillips says since the opening of the grand market on Saturday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre there has been a steady flow of Barbadians and visitors. She says the local booths have had a steady visitors and she is very happy with the support.
Meanwhile, the local dance troop gave a wonderful performance on Saturday evening at the Christ Church Foundation School. The second scheduled performance was postponed to accommodate the opening ceremony, which was rescheduled from Friday August 18 to Sunday 20 due to the passage of Tropical Storm Harvey.
The local delegation gave a stunning performance at country night held on the grounds of the LESC. The show featured cultural dance performance as well as soca artists and cultural ambassadors Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle, Hance John, reigning Calypso Monarch Lornette “Fya Empress” Nedd, Jamarie “L Pank” Stapleton and Zamfir “Man Zangie” Adams.