Haiti stages historic opening of CARIFESTA XII

Haiti Successfully Hosts its First CARIFESTA 12th Edition

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The island of Haiti finally hosted for the first time the 12th edition of CARIFESTA, a cultural event that included participants from the north and Latin American continents, along with the Caribbean region. Port-au-Prince was the site of the festivities.

At the staging area the public was treated to a profusion of costumes each contingent of participants were arrayed in. Then followed a nearly three-hour parade that proceeded to Cuoss Ocsde Janty Champ de Marse, the venue that held the opening ceremony. Once there the crowd of thousands were entertained by the Traditional Orchestral Band of Haiti and a Haitian fan favorite, Micka Benn.

Irwin LaRocque, Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, was the keynote speaker. He related the history of CARIFESTA, which began in 1972, and its purpose, ". . . to support and promote regional integration . . . key to the development of the Region." LaRocque spoke about the festival as a forum for the building of cultural selfhood, which would then translate to the potential for creating more employment opportunities and cross-cultural unity.

President Martelly, also a speaker at the opening ceremony, echoed much of what LaRocque said regarding the forward movement of regional attachments and unification. He thanked CARICOM for its assistance in putting on the event, and for the enthusiastic participation of 20 countries converging on Port-au-Prince.

Other speakers at the opening ceremony included Joan Raton, Culture Minister, and Barbados Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister, Stephen Lashley.

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