It is very tempting to say that CARIFESTA X is the worst CARIFESTA ever but that may be neither true nor fair. The Opening Ceremony of the Caribbean Region’s premier festival of Arts and Culture was not as impactful as it could have been and the long, windy rain just before the long (it seemed never ending) production did not help. I was among the damp, tired crowd that could not see what was happening on the poorly positioned stage but I am not sure what the organizers could have done about either the dampness or the tiredness, short of cutting out the official speeches which came at a time and under circumstances when they simply could not command my attention. As a matter of fact, it took me several minutes and the help of the person sitting beside me to figure out where “the voice” was coming from and that was determined by the cluster of media people surrounding what I believe was a podium somewhere on the opposite side of the stage across a vast field. At least we could see the stage. The inclement weather prevented the parachute jump display by the Guyana Defence Force whose plane flew very low over the gathering several times to determine whether the jumps were feasible. They were not and that was a major disappointment but a most spectacular air display by Brazil on day two, more than made up for the absent jumps. The inadequacy of the production did not help the Anguilla contingent who headed the parade. There was too long a gap between the announcement for Antigua to follow and visually, that left much to be desired. Pundits writing in the newspaper the next day described the event as “Carifiasco” and many of the detractors who had issues with the way in which that mega-event was organized, seemed gleeful. It was clear that I would need to be diplomatic when the inevitable mic was pushed into my face with the inevitable question seeking my views about CARIFESTA X. I know you all did not think I could be diplomatic but I was in Guyana to represent the government and people of Anguilla as well as the Caribbean Rastafari Organisation (CRO), so I sought diligently to find the positive aspects and I did.

By: Ijahnya Christian

First the national colours of the Anguilla flag made for the brightly coloured costumes by which Anguilla identified itself but we were a bit too sedate compared to the iron-band and rising sun red skirts of the much larger contingent from Antigua and Barbuda. Don’t get me wrong, sedate is good but thankfully it was not a competition in liveliness. The Bahamas were there in even greater numbers and in their performances there is a drummer that makes everyone sit up and notice him but I have not yet had the opportunity to enjoy one of their performances. No contingent however could touch the African spirit of the Venezuelan contingent who continued to drum and wine even during the cold rain that delayed the opening ceremony. Similarly, no one could match the diversity of the contingent from Suriname and they continue to stand out everywhere. I am not sure what it was that I witnessed when the indigenous section huddled round before the opening for what seemed like a religious ceremony. Definitely not something that could have been seen in Anguilla and I felt enriched by the experience. I needed to leave the National Stadium a little before the end of the opening ceremony a little before the rest of the delegation, to attend a late planning meeting with the organizers of the Rastafari Day and before going any further I must comment on the security detail.

Persons not trained in the field of security do not understand why those charged to provide it need to announce to those who would breach it, by the flashing lights, sirens and escorts front back, centre on either side and above. I am exaggerating but it felt like too much. Not for the first time I was really glad that I am not a minister of government because they actually get the full treatment. Security was indeed tight and on several occasions members of the Anguilla contingent were heard to wonder aloud whether the police really needed those high powered weapons. Our four Liaison Officers, one female and three male, stuck to us like leeches (nice, friendly, overworked young soldiers and officer cadets), and it was difficult especially for our younger participants to understand why they needed to be accompanied everywhere. As an honorary Guyanese, I felt perfectly safe without all the hoopla, but once again, I was here to represent.

Anguilla’s first performance was by the Klassique Academy of Dance inside the beautiful wooden building of City Hall. Klassique continues to amaze as they entertain and performed very well in spite of the fact that they had not been able to rehearse in the performance space as had been requested. They made me feel extremely proud. Two night ago, the Anguilla jazz band, Concepts, led by Curtis Robinson, thrilled the Super Concert even though I thought they were badly placed on the programme. That was also the premier regional performance for young guitarist and vocalist Ruel Richardson, son of Kenneth Richardson of West End. The Energetic Super Flies rocked the crowd once they got past a slight problem with the banjo (played by Kenneth) but that was completely expected as John Lloyd (the Mighty Springer) and Donald (Buck Eye) Connor seemed to be energy personified on stage that night. Again the rest of the group shared the pride.
Though I have not yet sampled their fare, I understand that the Culinary Team titillated the taste buds of the CARIFESTA patrons with their fungi and fish on day one. The patrons wanted more of the same of day two so the team of three young persons buckled up to repeat the performance and to add their pork menu on day two. While they were enjoying that, I was feasting on the most delicious Ital fare at the Rastafari Village on Rastafari Day, yesterday. Much as I would have liked the organization of that day to be contrasted and though I enjoyed the colour and splendor of Rastafari creativity that is part of who and what I am, that too suffered from inadequacies of organization and started late. I missed the best part, the Nyahbinghi Ises as I became sleepy and tired and could not see myself going through the night as is expected at Binghi. On arrival, my family here complained that the Christians, Muslims and Hindus all got their money before I and I but CARIFESTA X will go down in history as being the first festival to facilitate and support spaces for Caribbean religious expression. It was a wonderful Iwa of grounding with my brethren and sistren in the land of Walter Rodney and I accomplished my mission of promoting the 12th Summit, Trade and Cultural Expo of the CRO in Barbados in December 2008. Today, Davon Carty of the Anguilla Music Production and Publishing will be speaking at the Symposium about the development of cultural industries in the Caribbean and he will continue the proud moments for Anguilla as he joins those who have been working at it far longer. I may not get there until the end as I never miss an opportunity to hear Rex Nettleford speak. Later today I will begin my stint in the Anguilla booth at the Grand Market. I haven’t got there yet but I hear it is the best decorated booth. I do not know what tomorrow will unfold but I do know that when things cannot get any worse, they must get better and the Anguilla delegation will continue to represent.

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