NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The
stage has been set for the 15th Annual International Cultural Festival
in the Botanical Gardens from October 16 to 17, 2010.
Under the auspices of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the event will showcase the diverse
culture of countries around the world from natives living in The Bahamas.
The Hon Brent Symonette, Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Janet
Johnson Chairman of the International Cultural Festival, revealed details
about the multi-cultural event at a press conference at the Builders
Mall on Wulff Road, Thursday, September 9, 2010.
“The countdown is on folks. Patrons are encouraged to go from stall
to stall and sample cuisine, fine wines, special brews, arts and craft,
exciting raffle prizes and
BAF's Cash 'n Go
,”
Mr Symonette said.
The International Cultural
Festival grew out of the idea to recognize United Nations Day, during
which foreign nationals would organize themselves in a setting to display
their culture and heritage.
“And so it is this October
we again join member countries around the world in celebrating the United
Nation's 65 Anniversary,” Mr Symonette said.
Last year 25 countries signed
on representing over 110 booths, catering to more than 30,000 festival goers
and generating in excess of $300,000 over a two-day period. The
numbers are expected to grow at this year’s festival.
“We are of course, most pleased
to continue our partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation
that has been an integral part of the Festival Team from its inception,”
Mr Symonette said.
“It is heartening to learn
that unanimous contributions from booth holders make this festival sustainable
and help to not only defray the cost of operations, but the festival
was also able to honour its commitment to Bahamian youth,” he said.
Mr Symonette also commended
the Bank of The Bahamas for its continued commitment with the facilitation
of the “cashless” environment.
“This is not only a safety
mechanism, it also allows the ICF management to gauge the overall fiscal
performance of the festival.”
Patrons will be able to go
to any of the bank stations strategically located throughout the grounds
to money for ‘festival dollars’ with which to purchase food
and other items on sale.
ICF Chairman Janet Johnson
announced that returning this year is the ICF Destination Spotlight,
and featured will be the United States of America.
She explained that the country
would extensively showcase its culture, heritage, familiar food and
any other indigenous aspect of their country under a pavilion on the
north lawn. They are also allowed to use video exhibits, and backdrops.
A master class workshop will be conducted by the hip-hop dance troupe,
Swagger Crew from Atlanta, Georgia.
Additionally, UNESCO will lend
its prestige to the event through the International Art Display with
works loaned from the collections of foreign nationals living here.
There will be food tasting at the Celebrity Chef’s Culinary Demonstrations
Pavilion and a new initiative – the International Group Travel Pavilion,
where the public can sign on for group travel to some of the exotic
countries that will be represented at the festival.
The festival runs from 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with an official opening at 12 noon
on the Saturday.
Mr Symonette thanked volunteers
like Rotary, Zonta, Girl Guides, Kiwanis and the Q’s service clubs
for their involvement in the festival. The Zonta will host the
UN church service at Christ Church Cathedral on October 24.
