His Excellency, President Bharat Jagdeo, President, Prime Ministers, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Peoples of the Caribbean, Visitors from South, Central and North America, Europe, Asia and Africa, Peoples of the world, As host to CARIFESTA X, I welcome you to our beautiful land of many waters - The ancient land of El Dorodo.

In the exquisite tongue and words of Guyana’s first people, I say Rebango toro Kayana ta Welcome!

It is indeed a privilege for us to be the host of this Caribbean mega event. That started here 36 years ago. We appreciate the confidence our Caribbean brothers and sisters have placed in us and despite the time constraints of one year to host this mega event - team Guyana is ready to host you.

This evening’s spectacular opening ceremony which is entitled, Celegacy is a celebration of the Caribbean’s legacy in all its manifestations.

From the natural resources to our arts, cultural rituals, steel pan, soca, calypso, chutney and reggae music, provocative literature, and exotic folk beliefs and expressions.

Over the next ten days, as our best creative minds meet for the tenth time, our common history, our culture and our challenges will be explored to find common solutions and to open new possibilities for this beautiful region.

I am confident, that, we like our ancestors, will used our rich culture as sinew, that anchor that can hold our societies and peoples together as we faced the world.

Friends,

From this opening extravaganza to the closing ceremony and in between, we invite all of you to get to know Guyana and to experience our Guyanese hospitality.

Let’s join hands in friendships and partnerships for this Caribbean event is all about “One Caribbean, One Purpose, Our Culture, and Our life.”

Welcome and enjoy. ----------