by YVETTE BEST

THE National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has made it clear that it is not that "reckless" or "stupid" to honour someone in competition at this time.

Chief executive officer Vere Browne dismissed criticism on the call-in programmes and the Press about the tribute to eight-time Calypso Monarch Red Plastic Bag (RPB) at tomorrow's BNB Crop-Over Opening Gala in Queen's Park.

"The NCF is not, I repeat, not honouring Plastic Bag as was reported in other parts of the Press. What we're doing is paying tribute as we do, to one of our leading performers over the years.

"And we're doing that by giving some of his colleagues the opportunity to perform the songs that he performs. So it is really not an honour, and that is part of what we call the Sunset Concert," Browne said yesterday at a Press conference at BNB's Independence Square branch in Bridgetown.

When questioned later as to whether tributes would be paid to other artistes at upcoming events, Browne said: "I'm not getting involved in that, because I don't want to prolong that debate at all. I think it is a nonsensical debate and I don't think it is worth pursuing, and I'm not gonna get involved."

He also refused to comment on the criticism by some that the timing of the tribute was bad.

Fellow eight-time monarch Mighty Gabby, John King, Blood, TC, Natahlee, Mr Dale and Li'l Rick are all slated to sing songs done by RPB during the concert.

Meanwhile, in keeping with its commitment to return Crop-Over to the people, Browne said tomorrow's opening gala at Queen's Park would be free to the public.

"Queen's Park for years has been the place where people went to recreate and things like that. It is not easy, but signal to the people of Barbados that we want them to be more and more involved . . . .

"You have a situation where, yes, prices have gone up, but the average Barbadian is challenged in terms of the prices that he has to meet at the supermarket and things like that, and we're saying that at least we're going to signal to the people of Barbados that at least you can get some recreation without having to put a lot of money in it.

"As far as I'm concerned, it is a genuine attempt at the beginning of the festival to say to the people, 'Here look, this is your festival, come and get involved with us'.

We expect that over time, people will show their commitment to the festival by supporting the other paying events," he explained.

A parade from Cheapside precedes the official ceremony in Queen's Park that gets under way at noon.

There will be the traditional delivery of the last canes, the honouring of the King Of The Crop Grantley Hurley and Queen Of The Crop Philomene Stuart, performances by Dancin' Africa and others, and a variety of other attractions.