Two-day Kadooment in 2012 likely
TWO DAYS FOR KADOOMENT could be coming sooner
rather than later.
Minister of Culture Steve Blackett made this clear in the House
of Assembly yesterday, during debate on the 2010-11 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.
In fact, if Blackett gets his way, Crop-Over 2012 could be the first time
for a two-day jump-up
to culminate the country’s largest and most important national festival.
“I think it’s about time the Kadooment component of Crop-Over becomes more attractive and marketable,” Blackett told the House.
“Barbados is still among the few countries that offers only one day for the street parade. I am seriously considering, not for this year, but for next year, that we have to move aggressively towards presenting Barbadians and our visitors alike, with two days of street parade in Barbados. With the extra day, it would make Crop-Over, and especially Kadooment, more marketable and presentable for whatever agency is responsible for marketing the event,” Blackett said.
Noting that it was an ambitious plan, Blackett added that he would pursue it without a doubt. “We’ll have to use the two bank holidays that are available to us in the month of August in a better way.”
According to the minister, Crop-Over remained a unique event when it comes to return on Government’s investment, since $1.7 million is spent on Crop-Over annually.
Blackett, Member of Parliament for St. Michael Central, told the Lower House that culture continued to contribute to the vibrancy of the country’s overall tourism product through its various festivals, and major focus would have to continue to be paid to its development.
“I believe the Crop-Over Festival should be fully embraced by the Barbados Tourism Authority,” he told the chamber.
“Crop-Over is integral to our tourism offerings. It’s the single largest money earner of all the festivals. While there is a need for cuts, it has to be remembered that the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) is constrained to stage the major national festival in such a way as not to compromise its high quality,” Blackett added.
He said employees of the NCF should therefore be congratulated for their yeoman efforts in producing a high quality product in spite of enormous economic challenges.
“Because of these challenges, the true value of the Crop-Over festival on the national economy will be revealed, since a watered-down version would result in challenges to the entire business sector of the country,” the first-time parliamentarian concluded. (BA) (Nation News)