As promotions for the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta X) increase so, too, is registration for some features of the festival, particularly for youth-focused programmes, PYARG Executive Officer Alfred King says.
King, of the President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG) programme, according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release recently told the media that the festival will feature an edutainment symposium and a youth village.
The edutainment programme will be highlighted through a special symposium sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund. It will facilitate discussions on Caribbean art forms and their values, issues affecting youths and the role of edutainment as it impacts on these issues.
Also, through support from the United Nations Population Fund about six popular edutainment groups from the Caribbean will be in Guyana to participate. King said Yatica from St Lucia, Barcan from Trinidad and Tobago, Ashe from Jamaica, Sisteren promotion/academy from Barbados, Backlog from Suriname and Caricom youth ambassador Choc’late who recently entertained a Guyanese audience during promotions for the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, will be participating.
According to GINA, registration for this process is gaining momentum and is likely to surpass expectations. King said the forum was initially projected to attract about 50 visitors but to date more than 60 persons have already registered. Local groups such as Dance Alive, X-Factor, PYARG, Artistes in Direct Support and others are also expected to participate. “We have to work to see how best we can accommodate most of these applicants because the experience that will be provided through the symposium will be one that is most meaningful,” King said.
Meanwhile, a design has already been drafted for the youth village. It will be built at the National Park. GINA also said about 12 centres/huts will be erected to cater to HIV/AIDS education, physical exercise, music and dance lessons, environmental education and the spirit of adventure. The Environmental Protection Agency, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Iwokrama and PYARG are some of the partners in this effort.
