Carifesta: evaluation

It's already 2 days after the closing ceremony of Carifesta. Everything seems to be back to the daily routine. But after such a big event, I believe it is necessary for everyone to evaluate for themselves what were the highlights and what could be improved ...for the next time.

After the marvelous show of Tropicana Santiago de Cuba, I only went to a show in Thalia and that was the end of my Carifesta experience. I went to Thalia with the intention to see some tango. On the program that I'd downloaded in the very beginning of Carifesta, I saw that there would be a tango show from Argentina in Thalia. However the show of T&T, Jamaica and Haiti was very good and especially since entrée was only SRD 5,-, but it's like expecting to eat Tiramisu and getting chocolate cake instead. However the latter is still delicious, but it is totally different from expectations. But no sweat, a good show need to be praised. The dancers gave their utmost to express the emotions they wanted to show through dance. During the 90-100 minutes, I learned a bit of Haiti's history, the proudness of the Black people (not to be disrespectful, but Black was what they used in their performance) and the elegance of their dance moves. The bitterness of the angry Jamaican could be felt in the deepness of my skin.

Next to this show, I also attended the Nationale Kunstbeurs (National Art Fair) and saw the artistic talents of Suriname. And I notice that I have a very expensive taste when it comes to art. All the pieces that I like were at least $1500,- worth, so I guess I either need to become richer (I've learned I should never say that I'm not rich) or need to learn how to paint myself. Will let you know in the future which one I chose.

 

Back to evaluating the Carifesta event. Let's start with the great things I like about the whole event:

1. the affordability

    Most of the activities were kept at a minimum entrée fee or were even free to enter. The Columbia

    stand at Palm Garden even gave out free samples of their culinary items.

2. involvement of the other districts

     

    Every district was so involved and created their own Carifesta happening. This way will not only

    create a better distribution of people, but also create a chance for the districts to promote their

    specialties.

3. international standard performances

 

 

    This does not only include the performances of the artists. Of course, it was a cherry on top to have

     celebrities like Wyclef Jean and DJ Chuckie to be part of the whole happening, but let's not forget

     the awesome light and sound show that could be enjoyed at our own presidential palace. The

     variety designs on the catwalk from local and international designers.

 

I can go on and on about all the great things that happened, but this was the top 3 that comes to mind. And as the highlights, I would also only mention three improvements that would enhance the atmosphere.

 

1. improved information distribution

    In this period many things went wrong due to a lack of information distribution. Not everybody   

    was aware of the information on time. And the discrepancies between the program and the actual

    happenings that day. However I still enjoyed my show at Thalia, but I can understand that in the

    same case somebody might be furious not to have seen the tango due to a wrong schedule which 

    was given by the Carifesta site.

2. better organization for the many sub-events:

-  a screening of the many event ideas:

   If all event ideas were screened, it could have prevented disappointment from the visitor's side or at

   least, visitors could be informed in advance what they could expect. Incidents like having

   inappropriate clips shown on the screens of Youth Village.

-  the regulation

    And no disrespect to the owners/ organizers, but it would be nice to have

    someone regulating the seats at Flamboyant during the Tropicana show and remain visitors from

    feeling agitated because latecomers are sitting in front of them.

-  have information on paper and stick to it

   I happen to have friends participating in the several events and internally many things went wrong.

   At the last minute changes were made like the payment of the stands at Palm Garden or that the

   culinary stand of Columbia will not be part of GCM, but will be located at Palm Garden and other

   countries were also planning to put their stand in the Palm Garden instead of GCM. I can only

   assume how pissed everyone is with these sudden changes.

3. better timing

    Like in my second blog about Carifesta: http://atastybit.blogspot.com/2013/08/carifesta-who-is-it-for.html where I wondered for who this event is intended. I believe that this will need to be taken into

consideration. Even though the entrée fee is kept low, but everyone who goes out would like to have some extra cash to spend. Even if it's only for gas to drive around, money for drinks and a snack, it's still an expense. And if it's for foreigners, consider the school holidays when most families plan to travel.



Carifesta: Tropicana Santiago de Cuba

After several mentioned attempts to Carifesta events that left me with an awful aftertaste, I even hesitated to go to Tropicana. This is a Nightclub Cabaret Show. For some days, it has been greatly promoted on several media outlets and after a great review of it in the newspaper, I decided to give it a shot. However it was mentioned that the entrée would be SRD 25,-, when I stood in front of the gate it seemed they either lowered their prices or that the person writing the review was misinformed.

At first, the night started pretty well. We got a very neat parking space near the entrance and when I finally was in the hall, there was an empty seat, which after verifying with the neighbor appeared to be vacant. Since there was still so much space next to the empty seat and I saw plastic chairs piled up in the back, I asked my boyfriend to grab a chair and join me. Here the disturbance started.
                           
First, since the ladies in the back saw the same empty space as me, they moved in front and put their chairs next to mine. Even after I told them that my boyfriend was coming with the chair, they only mumbled something about moving a bit to the side when he finally reaches. I thought you know what....I don't want to spoil my evening, so I moved to their old spaces together with my boyfriend.
Supposedly no sweat right? Those spaces were already taken. Well...here another moment I can only sigh and shake my head to.

The lady behind that space while talking on the phone complained with phrases like :' Some antisocial people come in late and is sitting in front of me' and that said with the intention to stir up the neighboring crowd. And the man some seats next to us agreed loudly with it. (and I was not even blocking his view). But I have the idea that they thought we could not understand/speak Dutch, because as soon as my boyfriends made a remark that she doesn't need to get all fuzzy about it, the whole atmosphere changed and both the lady and the man were totally quiet and had totally no problem whatsoever with us sitting there. So, what do I have to make out of these moment-of-truths? I'll leave you, the reader, to judge it yourself.

For me, I was done with this issue as soon as I sat down. I was there for the show and especially since I saw people grabbing their own chairs and sitting totally in the front where the VIP's are seated, I don't see the problem with me there in the middle of the hall.

Even though, the show started awkwardly, but I enjoyed the Nightclub Cabaret Club "Tropicana Santiago de Cuba"

from the beginning till the end. All the bright colors, the headdresses and the costumes. It IS what I do expect from such a show. What amazes me the most is the way the acts follow up on each other. There were no quiet moments, no seconds that you imagine what to do now and it actually keeps me so mesmerized that I even remained from going to the restroom. The greatly advertised act, the fire spitting act, was actually my least favorite. Maybe because I have already seen several of these acts before and I expected to be more spectacular. The only thing I could think of was that she can save on hair removal products, since all hair on her skin should be burned by now. But next to that, the singers went to great altitudes with their voice. I don't understand a word they sing, but it was amazing!! And don't forget the band.....they only had a moment's rest during the fire spitting act, but next to that they were constantly playing. I really admire their stamina and energy. And what makes it memorable is that during the final act, all the members of Tropicana really showed how much they loved what they were doing.

That was the best SRD10,- spent and I would even spend more if that would avoid seating arguments. It is highly recommended for the organization to have a seating arrangement plan or maybe have such an event at a different location. For those of you, who still want to see this show. Tonight is their final act, so be there!

Carifesta: who is it for?

As mentioned in my last blog, I was all hyped up to be part of Carifesta like many other locals in Suriname. In the last 3 days, I went to several Carifesta happenings and started thinking who the target visitor was actually meant to be. Does the organization have an idea, who they actually want to attract?

Probably it is because of the great promotions about Carifesta that created a huge expectation on my side that this Carifesta will be on international standards and make me proud to be part of it. Unfortunately I had been disappointed time after time in the past 3 days. Or maybe I just chose for the wrong activities to attend?

Here is a summary of the several Carifesta activities I attend and my experience:

1. Openings Ceremony
This is one of the activities, who nearly whole Suriname got stirred up for. First of all, none of the media outlets ever mentioned about needing to sign up or buy entrée tickets to this event until several hours before show starts. Next to that, only 7000-8000 tickets were available in total to the 500k locals and the many foreign visitors for this event. So even though I did not have the ticket, I still gave it a shot to embrace the ambiance. Both sides of the Independence Square got closed in by a fence and from outside, there is nothing going on. Heard no music, no movement and no projector screens near the fences to accommodate the crowd that could be expected outside the fence. I even went to several places, where supposedly should be somewhat livelier, but the whole nightlife area seemed dead. After the happening, there were many appraisals about the light and laser show, which I'd missed.

2. Grand Central Market

According to the social media, the KKF area would become the GCM, where the participating countries will showcase their art, fashion and culinary. I went there with high hopes of tasting all kinds of Caribbean goodies. Even there, I got disappointed. The foodie area was scarcely occupied and some countries just did not show up since they heard they could have their stand in the Palm Garden. Probably I was too early for most of the activities (I was there around 6-7pm). There was a fashion show going on, a dance performance was on stage and however I went there for the food, the art was the part that made my while. The various artistic expressions on canvas transformed the hall into an art gallery. One of the art pieces was a life size 'human' made from pieces of cloth. It really reminded me of the  snowman prank on youtube and gave me the idea that any moment it would move.

3. Sana Budaya Cocktail
My expectations of the Sana Budaya Cocktail is first, a great showcase of the Javanese culture, and second a variety of cocktails. But to my astonishment, when I arrived at the location, it is full of people, but nothing seems to be going on than an explanation of a cultural happening. In total there were 3 stands and the stage was empty. One of the stands sold cocktails and I counted only 3-4 choices. So probably like GCM I was way too early too. I was there around 5-6 pm. I expected a mini version of the Indo Fair, but was unpleasantly surprised with the reality.


Next to it all, I also went to the Palm Garden and visited the Independence Square. The lights and sound were amazing. I don't know how Youth Village would look like, but I can only imagine how awesome it would be having DJ Chuckie mixing it up at the Presidential Palace. It's like having our own Surinamese version of Tomorrowland and call it 'Tamara Kondre'. It would be the party of the year!



However, it seems that I had only unpleasant experiences, I don't give up on the idea of Carifesta. But then I wondered, if all this were supposedly in place for tourist, how did they experience it and did it meet their expectations? And if it is organized to attract foreigners, isn't this period a bad timing? Most schools in the region has already started around mid-August. And if it is for locals and a way to spend the school vacation on, why hold it mid-August and not at the end of August? All locals know how broke we are during the 2nd and 3rd week of the month. Wouldn't it be more suitable to hold it in the first week of August or at the end?

Carifesta: the true meaning

Today is the first day of Carifesta in Suriname. For weeks this event can be heard all over the radio and announced at all TV stations in Suriname. Everybody seems excited that today is finally here. But truth be told, not all locals actually understand the true meaning of Carifesta. What is Carifesta? Is the investment worth it? These were the questions I got during my conversation with the taxi chauffeur this morning. My answer to him was that I believe it is a step in the right direction towards putting Suriname on the global map.

The academic definition from Carifesta, Caribbean Festival of Arts,is:

CARIFESTA, is an international multicultural event organized on periodic basis by the countries of the Caribbean. The main purpose is to gather artists, musicians, authors, and to exhibit the folkloric and artistic manifestations of the Caribbean and Latin American region
*definition from Wikipedia

This year it will be the second time that it will be hosted by Suriname. Twelve years ago was the first time and nearly nobody noticed its existence until it was over. I only remember the cultural parade with all kinds of artistic carts on the streets with people singing and dancing, but besides that, there was nothing more to it for me.

This year the organization had all kinds of preparations in place. This is the 11th time Carifesta will be held and 12 countries are participating this year. The most remarkable difference of this year's organization is the involvement of all the districts. Events are organized in the whole country, creating possibilities for everyone to get a piece of Carifesta. Just out of my head, I can name several events during 16-25 August:
                                                
* Saamaka Marron Museum, where you can get a peak into the culture and heritage of the Marroons. http://www.saamakamarronmuseum.com/
* Nationale Kunstbeurs for the art lovers during the period 16-25 August. This year it is held at the garden of De Surinaamsche Bank, where I have heard is a very beautiful setting and is sure a must see.
* For fashionista's and foodies, there is everyday something going on at GMC also known as KKF
* Thalia, CCS and TBL are places to be for those, who are fond of theatre and movies. Pieces from all participating countries will be presented.

* Even Coronie, the coconut district, will host a Cokofest. The Coronians will educate visitors about all the possibilities with coconut and even have a fashion show with coconut wear.

For a better understanding of the different locations, here is a map of the venues:
http://www.carifesta.net/venues/. However, these are the venues in Paramaribo.
                              

Get all hyped up about what there is to do in Suriname during Carifesta, please check the program at: http://www.ewinsi.com/index.php?view=show-schedule