SALUTATIONS!

I am proud today as Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community to welcome you all to CARIFESTA VIII in Suriname. This pride is heightened by the fact that this is the first time since my assumption of office in 1992 that this major Community event is being held in a non-English speaking country. Indeed it is only the second time in its 31-year history that CARIFESTA is being staged outside the English speaking Caribbean, having been held in Cuba in 1979.

CARIFESTA is returning to the mainland in August 2003, in a year when both host country –Suriname- and its CARICOM sister states have a lot to commemorate - CARICOM marked its 30th anniversary and Suriname commemorated the 140th anniversary of slavery abolishment, 150 years of Chinese immigration, 130 years of Indian immigration and 115 years of Indonesian immigration, the cultural richness of the Caribbean will fall in the spotlight.

Hundreds of dancers, artists, musicians, actors and cultural exponents, representing these countries are set to entertain visitors during the gala event which has been described as the “Greatest Cultural Mix of All Time”.

One of the most important features of CARIFESTA VIII will be the Grand Market, in which all participating countries will have an opportunity to showcase their respective art and craft traditions.

The Region has been promised a cultural feast when the five-day celebrations of CARIFESTA VIII are hosted in Suriname

At a special launching ceremony held in Georgetown Friday last, a Suriname delegation led by Minister of Education and Community Development, Hon. Walter Sandriman unveiled the CARIFESTA logo, announced the slogan and released the jingle for what promises to be a most unique cultural blast, full of energy and diversity. Minister Sandriman called for support from all CARICOM Member States to ensure the success of the festival.