Paramaribo was transformed into a crossroads of cultural exchange yesterday afternoon when the Grand Market, a central feature of Carifesta VIII, opened in Suriname.

For the next five days of festivities, the market promises to present the opportunity for many of the 30 participating countries to display art, craft, fashion, culinary delights, dances, music and lots more.

Guyana made a strong impression with at least nine booths, some of which were crowd-pullers. Earlier in the morning, at the opening at the Distinguished Artists Exhibition at the Presidential Palace, another Guyanese made an impression and was honoured as one of the cultural icons of the Caribbean.

Among the five artists honoured and whose works are on display at the Palace is Guyana’s Phillip Moore. The other icons recognised for their sterling contribution to the struggle and development of a Caribbean art culture were the outspoken Le Roy Clarke of Trinidad and Tobago; and Egbert Lieveld, Cornelly Aluma and Soeki Irodikromo, all from Suriname.

Caricom Secretary-General Edwin Carrington said Carifesta VIII should be seen as a symposium to explore ways of developing the cultural industry of the Caribbean in a manner that would contribute to the growth of income and employment.

Carrington paid homage to the contributions of these and other artists, but stressed that although there had been some initiatives in the region, “we have not yet found the ideal formula to maximise the potential which this (culture) industry undoubtedly possesses as a major contributor to the economy of the region.”

In that regard, he said, one of the important elements of Carifesta VIII would be the symposium to explore ways to facilitate the development of a “cultural industry as a central feature of our economies, in a manner that will enhance its potential to contribute to the growth of income and employment in our countries.”

It is for this reason, among others, said the Secretary-General, that the Caricom Heads of Government decided that, “artists and artistes must be among the first to enjoy free movement to work and live throughout the region.”

However, Clarke, who spoke at the opening of the art exhibition, was very critical of the lack of serious attention being paid to culture throughout the world and artists and artistes, alike.

“Very little has been done to improve our lot as a people [because] people have not come to terms with the seriousness of culture...Culture is treated as a pastime,” Clarke told the distinguished gathering on the Palace lawns.

Lamenting the lack of honesty on the part of some artists, he said, “the very integrity of the space is suffering” all for a few favours and money.

He urged his colleagues to get away from protocol and express themselves, be creative and stop wreaking vengeance on those who were creating.

“Hopefully, I am acting as a catalyst for others...this is an appeal from a people who want to reach up and kiss the sky,” Clarke said.

It is the hope of the Caribbean Community that Carifesta celebrations can charter new directions for the region. According to Carrington, “this dimension is critical in an era of globalisation where there is strong and relentless pressure towards a mono-cultural existence. The reaffirmation and celebration of our distinctive Caribbean way of life therefore assumes even greater importance than any period in the history of our societies, save perhaps the era of slavery.”

And not because the region is small, the cultural expressions must be weak. However, one of the specific challenges the Community must face up to at this time, the Secretary General stated, was the rapid process of change at the global level, in particular in the areas of information and communication technology.

“This has implications, among others, for the medium through which our artists and artistes express themselves, for the way in which our societies operate, as well as for the manner in which our community develops. But the challenge also presents opportunities for us, and our fate will hinge on our ability to adapt to these changes and to adapt those technologies in pursuit of our own interest,” Carrington stated.

Notably, Carifesta VIII is being celebrated under the theme ‘Cultural Diversity’ in the year of the 30th anniversary of Caricom. The Secretary General commended the President of Suriname and the National CARIFESTA committee “for the tremendous work they had put in towards ensuring the success of Carifesta VIII.

“You have truly taken up the baton from St Kitts and Nevis who so admirably hosted Carifesta VII...[since] Carifesta showcases our creativity and ingenuity, strengthens the bonds between us and demonstrates to the world the best that the region has to offer. Simply put, in reality, Carifesta celebrates our Caribbean being in a way that no other single event can.”