Specialise Regional Mas
Representatives of mas organisations from around the country left the Queen's Park Savannah with cheques in hand on Tuesday Dec 31, after NCC's distribution of subventions to Regional Carnival Committees.
At the handover, which took place at the VIP Lounge at the Grand Stand, Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism Dr. Lincoln Douglas suggested that regional carnivals could strengthen their brands by focusing on what makes them special.
NCC Deputy Chairman and Commissioner with responsibility for Regional Carnival, Don Sylvester, welcomed area representatives and introduced the head table: NCC’s Line Minister Dr. Douglas; NCC Chairman Allison Demas; NCC Commissioner Eddie Metivier; and, Regional Carnival Chairman Israfill Ali.
Ali cited the Act of 1991, which gave NCC responsibility for disbursement of funds to Carnival nationwide. He stressed the importance of transparency, accountability and fairness.
Sylvester, whose joking and picong kept the audience chuckling, next introduced Chairman Demas. He said in the lead-up to Carnival 2014, she had ensured early delivery of subventions, and strict adherence to rules and procedures with regard to disbursement of funds.
More $, focus on transparency
Demas said she had been highly impressed with Regional Carnivals last year.
She said the issue of Regional Carnival had been a central concern at NCC’s post-Carnival stakeholder meetings in 2013, where discussions had focused on infrastructure, product development, marketing, and the need for more money.
She said despite severe constraints, NCC had been able to identify areas for increases in funding. In addition, she said, NCC had introduced new procurement rules and procedures “to ensure transparency and value for money”.
Demas said Regional Carnival groups received letters stipulating that 60 per cent of funds be used for prize monies.
After performances by traditional mas characters including Fancy Sailor, Jab Jab, Damme Lorraine, Pierrot Grenade and Midnight Robber, cheques were presented to Regional Carnival groups from across the country, including St James, Cedros, la Horquetta, Moruga, Biche, Couva, Paramin, Cumana, Tabaquite, Crosstown, Santa Flora, Manzanilla, Diego Martin, St. Joseph, Rio Claro, South Oropuche, Arouca, Chaguanas, Fyzabad, Maraval and La Brea.
Specialise Regional Brands
Presenting the feature address, Minister Douglas introduced himself with his very own Midnight Robber speech, to everyone’s amusement. He said it was his way of showing support for Regional Carnival.
He said the over 54 Regional Carnival presentations “add to the specialness of T&T Carnival”.
He praised the festivals and noted that in attracting audiences in the thousands they were posing a challenge to mas Port-of-Spain.
He said events like the annual Canboulay Re-enactment; Dragon Festival and Stickfighting were “phenomenal” and “important”, as “they carry a lot of the Carnival story”.
He said he wanted to suggest: “You should specialise in what makes your area special.”
He said regional groups could build their identities and develop their local economies by focusing on what they were known for, for example Sailor Mas in Belmont, or Warahoon Mas in Manzanilla.
“Think seriously about what is indigenous to your area.
“We want to see Carnival not just as a festival, but as an industry. People who create the mas must be able to make a living by it.”
Minister Douglas noted that funding had also been increased for the 70 workshops to tutor children in mas-making.
He urged groups to “be professional”, and to “move away from the idea that bacchanal must be in Carnival.”
He said the way we conduct business must reflect professionalism and encouraged propriety at every turn.
Regional Carnival 2014 will be launched at Edinburgh 500 in Chaguanas at 2pm on Saturday.
NCC Commissioner Eddie Metivier, second from left; NCC Chairman Allison Demas; Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism Dr. Lincoln Douglas; and, Regional Carnival Chairman Israfill Ali listen as a Peirot Grenade performs at the VIP Room of the Grand Stand, at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Span on December 31, 2013.
