To date Barbados, Anguilla, Dominica, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua have already indicated interest in all areas of participation in the Tenth Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) which will be held from August 22 to 31.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony has been urging interested parties to indicate at an early stage their proposed inputs into the festival, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

The CARIFESTA Secretariat on Middle Street has also been given encouraging signs in the area of sponsorship as a number of inquiries are being made from the region and beyond.

Meanwhile, Head of the Secretariat Colonel Lyndon Ross in an invited comment to GINA noted that a number of individual groups are also interested in participating. He cited Suriname and Canada where these requests have so far originated. An estimated 100 cultural events, including an opening and closing ceremony earmarked for the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, will be featured for CARIFESTA.

These include the performing, culinary, literary and visual arts, community festivals, grand market, fashion focus, single events, super concerts and symposia on youth and indigenous people, among others.

Participation will also include some of the best pieces of art work from the region’s youth. The Ministry of Culture in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will soon host a Regional Children’s Art Competition for CARIFESTA.

Minister Anthony had recently made a strong call for several local participants in the performing arts to come voluntarily to the forefront since this segment of the festival will be the main highlight.

At the launch of CARIFESTA in October which was held at the conclusion of the 16th Meeting of the Council for Human and Soc-ial Development (COHSOD XVI), Regional Heads including Caricom Secretary General Dr. Edwin Carrington promised the region’s support.

Guyana’s preparations for CARIFESTA X can be viewed through its website, www.carifesta.net which has been up since October 2007. It features a photo gallery, press room, a history page, and access to advertising, accommodation and registration, news and other details.