Onward to CARIFESTA XII
A workshop and reflection day on CARIFESTA XII was held on Tuesday at the Kinam Hotel in Pétion-ville, Haiti. The event was opportunity to provide more information about the Festival to cultural operators,and to give them an update on the progress of the organisation of CARIFESTA XII. The Festival will be held 21-30 August under the theme ‘Our roots, our culture, our common future’.
The updates were provided by Chairman of the Host Country management Team, Ms. Elsa Baussan Noel, and Artisitic Director, Mr. Phillipe Dodard.
They outlined to participants that many persons, including Heads of Government and other Government Ministers in the region, as well as delegates outside of the region have indicated their intention to attend CARIFESTA XII.
Most recently, the Vice Mayor of Miramar, Florida, Ms. Darline B. Riggs confirmed her attendance. She said in her letter of intent that CARIFESTA XII was not only the celebration of our roots, our culture and common future but also a wonderful opportunity for the thousands of visitors who will participate to discover the rich culture of Haiti, its traditions, its music, its food, its people. She concluded her sentiments by calling on everyone to support this great event.
Other delegations from the United States will also be at the event. Some of the attendees include Commissioner of Broward County, Dale Holness; Chairman of the Miami Dade Board of County Commissioners Jean Monestime; Commissioner, City of Miami, District 5, Keon Hardemon , Mayor of North Miami, Dr. Joseph Smith and Director of Culture of Little Haiti, Sandy Joseph. Delegations from the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida and the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Fort Lauderdale/Palm Beach will also attend CARIFESTA.
The Host Country Management Team also said that it was continuing to issue authorisation (accreditation) to local and foreign journalists and reminded the media that the deadline for registration is Friday, August 14. Three journalists from each media house can be accredited. For further information, media managers can write to secretarygeneralhaiti@carifesta.net.
Everything is taking shape, everything is coming to life. The Committee is working around the clock to meet all expectations in regards to preparations,” a recently published bulletin from the Management team said.
The update also noted that invitations for the opening ceremony will be handed out this week.
The Caribbean is at our doors and it is pleasant to see that what has been for several months, an idea, almost a dream, turn into a reality to be shared with a whole population, a whole region,” the bulletin said.
The opening ceremony will be broadcast live throughout the Caribbean and via a feed from the Haitian National Television.
CARIFESTA XII will offer more than 127 events, some of which will be free while others will require a nominal admission fee.