The rain mistake the event

Aug 24, 2008 Features / Columnists

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The Parrot was at the opening ceremony of Carifesta X last Friday. Being a fairly young bird, I was eager to experience my first Carifesta; an experience like for the hundreds of children who participated will forever be etched in my memory.

One can only appreciate the efforts it takes to host such an event by seeing the performances. It was indeed a shortened period to make preparations.

Tickets for the opening were in great demand. They were free like for all the events. Guyanese flocked to distributing venues to secure theirs. Some joined the very long queues before the sun peeped and spent long hours. For some their patience proved fruitful, for others it was futile.

In a country where the admission to a mega event such as this is free, the demand will exceed the supply of the paper passes. Carifesta X is no different; basically everyone wanted to be part of this historic homecoming launch.

The stadium is new and thousands of Guyanese have not yet been able to witness an event staged there. From World Cup Cricket to super concerts held since, all have required a paid ticket.

Many sought the opportunity to “cash in” on the no-paid admission to savour the flavour of the ceremony and the stadium in the cases of those who were making their visiting debut.

The Minister responsible spoke frankly on the issue. He explained the reasons for some of the glitches in the distribution of tickets.

Many countries, inter-regionally and extra-regionally, are participating. A vast majority of these countries brought very large delegations; some with a 200-member team. Guyana’s contingent is in excess of a thousand.

These persons have to be seated, and for the local participants, a ticket or two for family members is expected.

These numbers, in addition to the VIP’s and other special invitees, would have automatically reduced the number of tickets available for general circulation. The stadium can only hold so much.

While some would be understandably disappointed, this event is for all. Guyanese have shown their ability to rise above these challenges to vindicate our engrained characteristic of being hospitable.

The thousands in attendance vociferously cheered the participants during the parade. For Guyana it was thunderous; a fitting ovation; one of pride and patriotism.

The Parrot was heartened. The cultural, ethnic, religious, political and economic traits that identify us dissipated and gave way to unison.

It shows that despite what some may say, Guyanese are a proud people. It was even more gratifying to see the Head of State coming down to meet the Guyanese contingent during their march-past.

He was overjoyed as those participants who met him for the first time. His joy is a culmination of hard work and dedication. He made a decision, stuck to it despite the naysayers, and stayed resolutely on course.

He saw the bigger picture; this is about Guyana proving to the world that notwithstanding the relentless efforts by some to tarnish the image of our country and the size of our economy, that we are up to the challenges.

Carifesta was born here, and after a far more affluent country within the region reneged on their prior decision to host the event this year, Guyana saved the day. This is the difference with Guyana today compared to years prior.

It is in this context that the Parrot finds the decision by the leaders over at the Place of CONgress to boycott the festival as unpatriotic and unforgiving.

They have boasted of their efforts in ’72 and touted then that the festival is for all. What happened now? I am not surprised.

They are just exhibiting their engrained characteristics of not being able to rise above politics for the sake of country. Guyanese have seen through this and it is evident from their response for tickets, they have disdainfully dismissed the Palm Tree jungle diatribes.

If Vishnu were to conduct a poll of political allegiance along the ticketing lines, the results would be embarrassing to those at the Place of CONgress.

Legacies would be left; the international stage, the upgrading of venues across Guyana, the training of people in the various aspects of the arts, the coming together of all Guyanese and the international recognition are just a few. The stadium has already left its legacy. It has proven its worth and relevance.

Those who criticised it were left, as we say here, “with their mouths open” as the rains failed to dampen the spirits of those involved in the opening.

There was the talk that when the rains came just before the official start and all hopes seemed lost given the raining grey clouds, it was the Place of CONgress “wuking”. They felt overjoyed.

They, at the Place of CONgress, probably thought that after the two-hour heavy downpour, the outfield at the stadium would have been inundated and the “umpires” would have declared day 1 “abandoned”. They would have claimed victory in their boycott.

The CONgress people didn’t cater for technology. This is not Bourda, this is a modern facility, yes modern, right here in Guyana that can withstand these conditions.

So the Parrot says, yuh waste yuh time “wuking”. It could have been a case that the rains got the event mixed up; it thought with the large crowd, the beating of drums and plenty cameras, that it was cricket about to play. It exemplifies how things have really changed in Guyana; for the better. Squawk! Squawk!

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