Dominica Festival of the Creative Arts (DOMFESTA), an event meant to showcase and promote the talents of artists and other aspects of Dominica’s cultural heritage, 2023 edition was officially launched on Wednesday.
The activities are expected to run from April 12 to May 28 with its signature event, which will be a Caribbean culture night called ‘Fusion’ to be held on Saturday, May 20, at the Old Mill Cultural Centre beginning at 4 p.m. and will feature various aspects of Dominican and Caribbean culture such as music, dance, cuisine, art, craft, and fashion.
“DOMFESTA is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the arts and as time goes by we hope to have an even better representation of all the artistic displays during this festival and beyond,” Acting Chief Cultural Officer Earlson Matthew said while addressing the launching ceremony held at the Old Mill Cultural Centre.
According to him, the division is at a juncture where training is critical.
“For example, there won’t be plays if we don’t have training…,” he stated.
He continued, “Infrastructure is also critical and by that, I mean rehearsal and performance places. All of this to say that while we are reveling in our success we have merely scratched the surface and there is a lot more to achieve, learning from those who came before us and at the same time guiding those who will follow us.”
Meantime, Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Senator Oscar George said DOMFESTA is and continues to be an important component of the government’s efforts to promote and preserve Dominica’s culture and heritage.
“Just one week ago we laid to rest a stalwart in the area of arts and culture in Dominica, Dr. Alwin Bully,” he said. “It’s only fitting that I start by acknowledging his contribution and urging all to build on the foundation that he and so many others have left.”
George believes that this effort should not only be the responsibility of the staff of the Cultural Division, but “a national effort towards our cultural preservation.”
“Our culture is the way of life and it is not defined only by one season,” he said.
George noted that in 2023 alone the Cultural Division successfully hosted Old Mas Festival in Pointe Michel, Pan in the City, and an entire week of the National School Arts Festival, “now onto DOMFESTA.”
He went on to state that festivals only make up a small fraction of the work of the Cultural Division and training of young persons in important areas is also very important for the Cultural Division, “and this was seen in the National School Arts Festival hosted recently.”
“I had the pleasure to be at the opening of that festival and I can assure you that our culture is really alive in Dominica,” George stated. “It is very evident that the next generation is overflowing with potential and passion for our culture.”
He said the Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports, and Community Development stands committed to the necessary training that will make these outcomes a reality.
Additionally, George believes that research and documentation are critical in assessing, “where we are coming from against where we want to be as it relates to our cultural preservation.”
“Today we launch DOMFESTA which coincides with the tourism awareness month, our Jazz N Creole, Local Government Month, May Fest, and many other activities making the upcoming month of May yet another period where stayover visitors can be attracted to Dominica, similar to what happens at independence, Christmas and Carnival,” George said.
He encouraged the public to continue playing their part, attend cultural events, and share the content on social media in order to contribute to the growth of Dominica.
“Let’s make this year the best year for DOMFESTA,” George noted.
The following is the calendar of events for DOMFESTA 2023:
April 19 – Traditional Masquerade Symposium – Old Mill Cultural Centre- 9:30 a.m.
April 27 – May 1 – May Fest – Marigot
April 30 – Jazz N Creole – Fort Shirley, Portsmouth – 2 p.m.
May 1-31 – Local Government Month – Islandwide
May 4 – Team Culture Community Drive – Islandwide
May 8-13 – Art Exhibition- Old Mill Cultural Centre – 5 p.m.
May 17 – Primary Schools Kweyol Spelling Bee- Alliance Francaise- 10 a.m.
May 18 – DIFA End of Year Concert- Old Mill Cultural Centre – 6 p.m.
May 20 – Fusion- Old Mill Cultural Centre – 4 p.m.
May 25 – Lyrics Under the Stars- Old Mill Cultural Centre – 7 p.m.
As ever, the best year yet! Dominica is full of superlatives if we listen to Skerrit and his officials. The reality, however, is a different one. The only things that thrive in DA are corruption, propaganda, lies, nepotism and endless greed.
Following on from my earlier comment, I am pleased that Shawna Johnson’s “Lyrics Under the Stars” is included in the calendar of events.
Over the years “Lyrics Under the Stars” has been a vibrant showcase for Dominica’s established and emerging poetic talent. Shawna has used her own slender resources to stage the shows and over the years the event have wandered impoverished from one venue to another. She was priced out of the Old Mill when they slapped her with a $300.00 fee for each evening’s performance. At times she has been reduced to staging the events at her own home.
There is no cover charge for those attending, just a collection box for donations to offset expenses. I remember after one evening’s performance, Shawna had to break open the box for her bus fare home.
Those who consider poetry to be dull and boring should have been present on the evening when Kamarsha Sylvester brought the house down with her poetic advice to young ladies: “Vagina Don’t Come Cheap”
Until we differentiate between culture and art, DOMFESTA will have little impact on the lives of Dominicans.
Culture celebrates what has been. It is something we all feel comfortable with. The creative arts, on the other hand – if true to their purpose – are different to what has gone before. They challenge us to a new way of seeing, and in doing so may be controversial.
But until all aspects of the arts are given prominence in our education system nothing will change.