Carifesta X website set up

Information on Carifesta X which is billed for Guyana in August next year can be accessed at its website, www.carifesta.net, which was recently established as part of the early planning phase by the local organising committee.

The website, created by Malcolm Williams, information technology expert from the University of Guyana, features a photo gallery, press room, a history page, and access to advertising, accommodation and registration, and other details, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Each CARICOM member state is represented on the website by its national flag which when selected, gives access to information on country profiles and other details.

The website is still in the process of being updated and is a major medium for news and other information, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony said.

“We will be adding on some features over the next few weeks until all the components are fully functional. For now I think people can go and see some of the things we are doing for Carifesta X,” Minister Anthony is quoted by GINA as saying.

The planning committee which operates centrally through the Carifesta Secretariat on Middle Street, Georgetown comprises representatives of different government and private agencies as well as the arts in Guyana.

Included in the team will be a sub-committee responsible for accommodation and hospitality, security, traffic and parking, health and emergency services.

A special oversight committee headed by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has also been set up to assess progress in planning and preparations for the mega event.

Anthony recently disclosed that the creation of Carifesta chapters to gain support from overseas-based Guyanese is one feature in the planning phase that will for the first time in the history of Carifesta be attempted. The USA, the UK and Canada are the three areas in the diaspora being targeted, GINA stated.

Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Barbados, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos islands have also signalled their interest in participating.

After outlining Guyana’s Carifesta plans to representatives of CARICOM member states at the conclusion of the 16th meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) Anthony was given all assurances of support.