THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY Secretariat has reported that Guyana is set to attract record participation for the Tenth Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), the region's premier cultural event inaugurated in that nation 36 years ago.

Traditionally, CARIFESTA had showcased, over the years, the top creators of the Caribbean in their varied artistic spheres. However, the secretariat said the festival had evolved sufficiently to "open its doors even wider to embrace more countries outside CARICOM and Latin America".

Major new features for the coming ten-day festival will include an Amerindian Village Complex showcasing the authentic way of life of the nine tribes of Guyana's indigenous people; four super-cultural concerts involving the top performing artistes of CARICOM states; and non-Caribbean participating nations to include the People's Republic of China, India, Britain, Morroco, Indonesia and Austria.

At least 30 countries, among them all member states of CARICOM, have already officially indicated their participation in CARIFESTA X, which is scheduled to begin August 22 under the theme One Caribbean, One Purpose – Our Culture, Our Life.

Guyana's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony has confirmed that 25 of the participating countries have already provided the size of their delegations for the festival, totalling 1 376 as of last Friday.

Anthony told the SUNDAY SUN the government was "very encouraged by the level of cooperation being received from the CARICOM Secretariat and also the local private sector".

He said that the Guyanese private sector would sponsor all four super concerts at the Providence Stadium (south of the capital, Georgetown).