Suriname’s President Ronald Venetiaan will tonight officially bring the curtain down on six days and nights of celebrations at Carifesta VIII.

The venue, once again, is Independence Square, a lush park-like setting bordered by a number of distinguished offices in central Paramaribo, including the stately Presidential Palace and Congress Hall.

Stabroek News understands that there will be a cultural show for the participating delegates from 29 countries, speeches by the Surinamese President, that country’s Culture Minister and Caricom’s Assistant Secretary -General, prior to the lowering of the flags from the 15 Member States of the Caricom Community and Common Market (CARICOM).

According to Leonard Robertson, Communications Consultant to the CARICOM Secretary General, the high point of the past week’s festivities was definitely the Grand Market in the city.

“The Grand Market was one of the better -produced and organised [activities] of this kind they put together. Nearly everything Carifesta stood for was there,” Robertson told Stabroek News in a telephone interview from Paramaribo yesterday.

On a scale of one to 10, Robertson gave the Grand Market an eight, although he admitted that he had not spoken with the vendors on whether their sales reflected the crowds. This newspaper observed more than 10 booths flying the Golden Arrowhead, all with beautifully displayed wooden, beaded and other craft items. There were also two booths of clothing designed and being marketed by Guyanese, while outdoors, patrons were served up with a wide variety of Guyanese cuisine from the Carnegie School of Home Economics.

Based on other reports, this newspaper understands that the local contingent also managed to buy up some of Suriname’s booth space. From all indications, Guyana had the most on display in the area of craft and fashion. And the leather slippers and purses from caiman skin seemed to hold the attention of many.

Two things that marred the celebrations, though, were constant complaints about the programming and cost and availability of transportation to the sites for visitors.

But Robertson pointed out that the Surinamese planners should not be blamed for any of these hiccups, since many countries waited until after their contingents turned up to reveal what they planned to do.

“They were supposed to submit their [programme] by June...to say what they are doing, whether they are dancing etc.,” Robertson told Stabroek News.

He further stated that there was some disappointment in the level of fares that the taxi drivers levied on commuters. A single drop around Paramaribo during the past week was 6,000 guilders ($462) and double that amount at night. One Guyanese related having paid as much as $30,000 ($2,308) one night.

Nonetheless, Robertson described the overall festivity as “on par”. The level and standard of performances, he said, were generally high. He gave kudos to Jamaica’s performance, which he said was outstanding despite the fact that they came with a delegation of mainly young people.

Trinidad and Tobago, as well as St. Lucia, did fine, Robertson told this newspaper. Guyana’s ‘Ting a Merry’ went on a district tour on Tuesday to Albina, an eastern village near the French Guiana border. They were also expected to perform at Nickerie yesterday.

Robertson said he was also surprised by the number of youths participating.