The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) is more than the festivals, the agency’s chief executive declared Friday as it began its 40th anniversary celebrations, throwing open its doors to the public.
Speaking at the NCF’s Husbands St James headquarters, Carol Roberts-Reifer said that although known mainly for the annual Crop Over and NIFCA festivals, the foundation continues to make a positive impact on communities and support the cultural and artistic output of citizens.
Several exhibitors and entertainers took part in the day’s events, which marked the beginning of the year-long celebration to commemorate the milestone.
“Why is this showcase important? It allows us to in a very demonstrative way indicate that the foundation is more than the festivals, that the foundation is more than Crop Over and NIFCA,” Roberts-Reifer said. “That the foundation is about partnerships, the foundation is about strengthening communities and groups through the arts and culture, that the foundation is about collaboration and that the foundation is very much mindful of its remit to contribute to the raising of the national consciousness and identity among our people.
“We have carefully examined each of our major festivals, Crop Over and NIFCA, and sought to infuse them with more innovation, more opportunities for artists not only to win or earn lucrative paydays but also to avail themselves of the myriad of the opportunities we have introduced for training and development.”
One of the NCF’s most significant areas of growth has been the expanded use of new technology in its work, as well as its growing engagement with people from all around the African diaspora, the chief executive said.
“We have in the last three years all of the technological advances as much as possible to our benefit and to the benefit of our constituents, where we have established more meaningful partnerships, both within and [outside] of Barbados. We are following the tone set by the cabinet of Barbados, we have returned to the conversations, the narratives, and the interactions and partnerships with our African brothers and sisters, not only on the continent but across the African diaspora with very meaningful results.”
(SB)
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