The products, skills, and talents of 120 small businesses and artists will be on display for the rest of the week during the first-of-its-kind ‘Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl-Tout Biten Domnik.’
The four-day event which was officially launched yesterday-October 24- replaces the annual Creole in The Park (CITP), a precursor event leading to the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF).
Speaking during the official launch at the Botanical Garden, Tourism Minister Denise Charles expressed her jubilation for what she says is an opportunity that affords local entrepreneurs another platform to showcase Dominica’s culture, music, dance, local products, and services to the world.
“Every visitor will be able to taste, experience, and purchase everything that makes Dominica unique and the best island to visit in the Caribbean. This event list [includes] the B2B forum, NDFD’s ‘Creole in the Street’, and our trade missions to neighbouring islands is assuring that Dominica is poised to advance its participation in the creative economy,” the minister aired.
Expressing similar remarks, Trade Minister Ian Douglas, stressed that the event provides yet another opportunity for small businesses to showcase themselves to the world while informing enthusiasts on more of Dominica’s local provides.
“Local food, local drinks, local dress, local sounds, sites, and taste. We are making a case for the Dominican business that can hold its own locally, regionally, and internationally,” the minister said.
He continued, “We can buy Dominican products to eat fresh and live long. We have fresh herbs and spices to stay well. We have fresh fruits and vegetables. Our teas and drinks our juices, our greens and beans, our ground provision, and local meat and fish to eat fresh and live long.”
Douglas is of the view that such a campaign will provide the opportunity for Dominica to build market confidence in its local products and will reenergize the Dominican brand.
“This campaign will raise the awareness both here at home and aboard that, we can influence consumers to choose Dominican fresh produce and value-added products,” he said.
The Trade Minister opined that the Prime Minister has provided the vision in the Independence theme and a part of that vision is for agriculture to contribute 700 million dollars to GDP by 2030.
“We are the food basket of the OECS and our mantra of ‘Eat well, live long’ will further highlight our attribute of fresh water, fertile soil, natural methods of planting, and good manufacturing practices,” he declared.
For her part, Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau North Constituency Melissa Poponne-Skerrit commended the Ministry of Tourism for “reinventing” what was previously known as ‘Creole in the Park’ and “taking this event to another level of cultural creativity, fun and excitement.”
“The event showcases Dominica, its goods, services, and culture,” she remarked. “You will witness an abundance of cultural expression in the form of delectable cuisine, our dance, arts and craft, locally made products, fashion, and even a taste of carnival topped off with the best of local music, the Cadence and Bouyon which are indigenous to Dominica.
Today’s lineup includes Reo, Trilla G, Signal Band, Ridge Cross the Bridge Crew, Dj Real Boss, Fetty Mark, ICN, Ignition band, Jacko cultural group, YSM drummers, Petite Soufriere Jing Ping Bouth band, and Patriotic Dancers.
Tomorrow- October 26- will featureJerry Lloyd, Swinging starz band, Abiyah, Dj Snow, Sub Urban, Simba Okestra, Sisserou Singers, Pashiwok Dancers, Paix bouche Drummers, and Flamboyant Dancers.
The show will close on Thursday, October 27, with Asa Bantan, Unstoppable Djs, Delly & friends, Tasha P, Daddy Chess, Trendsetter, Mystery, Sour Sour, Sakis Lapo Kabwit, Dj Shystar, Gutter Lapo Kabwit, and Dj Remz.
The event kicks off at noon daily and ends at 6 pm.
We went there Tuesday at one o’clock hardly anything was open. We waited a while and not much changed so we left.