St. George’s, December 6, 2011 – The weekend had barely ended but cultural officials already had begun making preparations for creating additional avenues for displaying Grenada’s traditional folk culture.
They have expressed deep satisfaction with the crowd attendance and the artistes’ performances at the 2nd annual Camerhogne Folk Festival held from December 2 – 4 in Low Town, Sauteurs, St. Patrick.
“We are deeply satisfied with the weekend of culture,’’ said Senator Arley Gill, Minister of State responsible for Culture. “All three days featured performances that were par excellence and people were appreciative and responsive. One couldn’t have asked for more.’’
Sen. Gill thanked the Department of Culture staff for their “hard work and dedication in the organizing of the festival,’’ and also the Government of Finland for supporting the event with funding.
“The Finnish Ambassador who attended the festival was highly impressed with what he saw and has promised to seek ongoing support for the festival,’’ Sen. Gill said.
Saturday’s component of the weekend’s program featured stellar guest appearances by visiting artistes Tasha P, Black Stalin and Valentino.
Tasha P is the reigning Calypso Monarch of Dominica; Stalin is a former Calypso Monarch of Trinidad and Tobago; and Grenada-born Valentino – “The People’s Calypsonian’’ – has been living in Trinidad since age five.
Valentino, in between singing classics such as “Stay Up Zimbabwe’’ and “Birds that Fly High,’’ commented that it was the first time he was visiting Sauteurs, where his grandmother was born.
The festival’s theme was, “Remembering Our African Tradition’’. The motto was, “Old Grenada, New Grenada – One Grenada.’’
It was highlighted in songs, drumming and drama; traditional games and the showcasing of the national dress of Grenada; the ritual sharing and eating of cooked food known as Saracca; as well as in traditional dances such as Quadrille, Tillingo, Bele, Kalinda, Temne, Pique and Chamba.
“One of the ideas we’re considering coming out of the Camerhogne Festival is to stage quarterly events nationwide to give greater visibility to our folk culture,’’ Sen. Gill said.
A colourful 16-page souvenir magazine on the 2011 Camerhogne Folk Festival, produced by Image Lab Design and DepCom, is available at the Department of Culture in the Ministerial Complex.
