“The time has come for us to export our cultural product” – Minister Anthony

By Umadevi Bux

The Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry on Wednesday launched its Third National Drama Festival, catering for writers and groups of dramatists across the country. The festival will run from June 19 to November 17. The launching activity took place at the National Cultural Centre, spiced with poetry and dance.
According to Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony, the creative industry is a substantial part of a country’s economy, and there should be a growth in cultural entrepreneurship because creativity is unlimited and will become a booming industry.
“Today, the creative industry is a substantial part of a country’s economy and the investments in schools to train people to become professional will boost the economy… we have established ourselves and we want to see professional companies being established and registered as businesses…” said Anthony.
He noted that Guyana has made her name in cultural diversity with drama, music, dance and poetry and the time has come for the country to export its cultural product to other countries.
“As it grows… we want to make it a Caribbean festival and see plays to be produced in different indigenous languages of Guyana… If we don’t do it, who else would…” emphasised the minister. He also noted that drama offers a medium to expand the horizon of one’s potential.
Minister Anthony envisaged that other countries will be interested in Guyana even more and their citizens will want to visit this country, as part of the spin-offs from an annual National Drama Festival.
The launch also included graduates from a stagecraft course offered by the University of Guyana, receiving awards and certification for their performances in the area of drama.
Developing talent
According to University of Guyana, Faculty of Education and Humanities Dean Al Creighton, the course in drama carries a three credit attachment, and it is meant to train and develop the potential of individuals, while bringing a level of competence to increase the capacity of skills in theatre arts. The programme has seen 23 individuals with varying backgrounds in theatre receiving distinctions.
The National Drama Festival is presently in its third year. The festival is an ambitious cultural programme which has brought dramatic entertainment to a wide public audience and some amount of developmental benefit to the performers and producers. The festival is managed and produced by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, Department of Culture with assistance from the private sector.