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Antigua and Barbuda’s PM Spencer Says Time To Step Up to the Plate

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Hon. Baldwin Spencer has declared his ‘hand’ and make it known with no uncertainty that the time has come for the twin island state to host CARIFESTA.

Prime Minister Spencer was at the time speaking to local media during the opening ceremony for the tenth edition of CARIFESTA being held in Guyana from August 22 to 31st under the theme “One Caribbean, One Purpose – Our Culture, Our Life”.

“I believe that Antigua & Barbuda should put in a bid to host CARIFESTA in the nearest possible future. I think we now have an arena where CARIFESTA can be hosted and what we need to do is to plan ahead of time …and put our own Antiguan/Barbudan touch to it. I20think the time has come when Antigua & Barbuda should step up and seek to host CARIFESTA”, said PM Spencer. He said that the country has always supported the event over the years and highlighted the fact that for this year Antigua/Barbuda has one of the biggest delegations, which totals 125 individuals.

According to PM Spencer, the development of the arts is critical to the maturity of Caribbean societies and believes that a society and the arts must grow ‘hand in hand’.

“You cannot say that you are a society fully developed unless you allow the cultural and artistic expression to come to the fore in a real way. It’s a powerful tool for development and for the economic returns that could come and I believe it also has very deep and physiological effects on residents”, said the Prime Minister.

Spencer, who is well known for his support of the arts said, involving the youth in this type of event, has many positive feedbacks, including the creation of artistes. “I think that from this (CARIFESTA) will come some great artistes and truly I believe we are laying the foundation for which we can build”, said PM Spencer. He credits the local committee for ensuring that a large majority of the contingent is comprised of young people.

“I have always felt that it was important to involve the young in CARIFESTA activity. It is important that we ensure that the young people get involved in this event, as it gives them the exposure and builds character and self esteem and gives them the feeling that they are recognized at an early age”, outlined Prime Minister Spencer.

During his interview, PM Spencer said although his visit to Guyana would be very brief, he would be speaking with Secretary General of CARICOM, Dr. Edwin Carrington and other officials before heading back to St. John’s on official Government business.

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