From Monday April 20 to Sunday 31st May 2015, Dominica’s drama, art, music and dance will take center stage as the island stages the 32nd edition of the Dominica Festival of the Arts (DOMFESTA).
DOMFESTA 2015, which was introduced by the Cultural Division in 1983, was officially launched at the Old Mill Cultural Center today Friday 17th April, 2015.
It is being presented by the National Cultural Council and the Cultural Division.
“This year we celebrate 32 years of DOMFESTA.” Chief Cultural Officer, Jacinta David, said at the launch of the event. “Thirty-two years of exposing Dominicans to cultures of the region and that of the wider world. Thirty-two years of working together with a number of institutions who year after year contribute to the diverse list of offerings for DOMFESTA, as well as overseas artists who mark the occasion with us. Thirty-two years of an exciting celebration of visual and performing arts.”
She continued, “DOMFESTA provides us with opportunities to not only sing and dance but also to meet friends and family…to enjoy and submerge themselves in the arts. DOMFESTA provides another focal point for artistic expressions especially as it relates to contemporary arts.”
She added that the festival gathers musicians, artists and writers and to showcase the folkloric and cultural manifestations of Dominica with the aim of bringing people closer to each other and to make social bonds and to celebrate with joy and happiness and to follow tradition.
Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Constituency Empowerment Justina Charles pointed out that the event is clearly a “signature event on our cultural calendar”.
“DOMFESTA, like other cultural festivals, is thus very important to national development,” she stated. “The fact that it is in its 32nd year, is testimony to this.”
The following is the list of activities to mark the festival.
April 20th 24th – National School’s Art Festival at the Arawak House of Culture from 9 am daily.
April 27th -The American Jazz quartet in concert at the Arawak House of Culture from 6 pm (entrance free)
May 1st-4th -Giraudel Flower Festival
May 6th -Preliminaries for the annual Kweyol Spelling Bee competition for Primary Schools
May 14th- Finals of the Kweyol Spelling Bee Competition for Primary Schools at the Arawak House of Culture at 10 am
May 25th -Fete Isidore in San Sauveur and Grand Bay
May 24th -Jazz n Creole Festival at the Cabritts National Park
May 5th -31st -Art and Craft Exhibition at the Old Mill Cultural Center
May 10th -Dame High Scorer’s concert to be staged at the Fort Young Hotel from 5 pm
May 19th -End of year closing ceremony concert for the Dominica Institute of the Arts at the Arawak House of Culture from 5 pm
May 29th-31st –Play Hidden Treasures from Batibou by Teyat Pawol will be on at the Arawak House of Culture
May 18th -31st -Africa Day celebrations
May 30th –Sounds of the drum in Roseau from 10-12 pm
May 29th -31st -Pork Festival in Bagatelle
I notice that in the last few years the Cultural Division has been simply incorporating the activities of others under the DOMFESTA umbrella and calling the list ”DOMFESTA”. What has happened to the Division’s own organized activities such as the DOMFESTA lecture? I remember George Lamming’s immemorial lecture. It was so impactful that he was brought back to deliver another lecture in Dominica. Since the theme of Reparations is in the air, why not invite Professor Hilary Beckles, historian and Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Committee, to deliver a lecture? Does the lack of Cultural Division’s specifically organized events have to do with culture being put on the list of non-priority of the government despite the talk?
Magnificent Job Ms. David and the staff of the Cultural Division