Minister with the portfolio, Ms. Gail Teixeira told a news conference yesterday that the programme includes commemorating the 30th anniversary of Carifesta in Guyana.

She said it is a significant milestone worth celebrating because this was the first host country and other Caribbean countries will be marking the occasion in different ways.

Minister Teixeira said Caribbean Ministers of Culture agreed, at a recent meeting, that each nation will highlight Carifesta (Caribbean festival of Arts) at the national level.

She said her ministry has ideas on which it would like to expand, not just in the performing arts but through a series of panel discussions.

Teixeira said the ministers decided, too, that the commemoration will not take place every four years but at least twice within that period, with various events in different countries, allowing people to observe the diverse aspects of CarifestaTeixeira said the ministers decided, too, that the commemoration will not take place every four years but at least twice within that period, with various events in different countries, allowing people to observe the diverse aspects of Carifesta.

She said only six festivals were held in the 30 years since Carifesta was introduced, because most countries could not have afforded the hosting.

Teixeira reported that the recently held ministerial caucus put forward a set of recommendations to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for examination at the next Council on Human and Social Development (COHSOD) session here, later this year.

Her ministry's agenda lists bilateral exchanges, as well.

Meanwhile, an Australian team will be visiting from May 2 to 4, to conduct coaching in keeping with a Commonwealth Caribbean Development Programme.

The Amabhunn, an African musical group, is also scheduled to come for performances on May 9 and 10 at the National Cultural Centre, said Minister Teixeira, noting that this is the first such group to perform locally.

"It is a sign of the growing relationship among developing countries," she remarked.

Announcing that a German team is coming to play matches in Georgetown and Linden between March 23 and 25, Teixeira said it demonstrates the bilateral relationship at work in the area of globalisation.

She said, for the first time, emphasis is being placed internationally on the very important cultural diversity of countries.

For Guyana Independence celebrations, Teixeira said her ministry will try to come up with innovative ideas and, if all goes well, plan events that will be slightly different than in the past.

"We will try to stimulate and excite people," she said.

Celebrating Indentureship and Chutney competitions will commence next month and conclude in June and, for the former, the ministry is exploring avenues to retrieve archival records of indentured immigrants which are not available from the National Archives.

The President's Youth Award expedition, camps in hinterland communities, the launching of the National Youth Commission and a research and documentation project on the culture of the six Guyanese races are to be undertaken as well, all in the attempt to make people return to their cultures, Teixeira said. (STACEY DAVIDSON)