NASSAU, Bahamas - The stage has been set for the 14th Annual International Cultural Festival, an event that showcases the diverse communities in the country, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign affairs and Immigration the Hon Brent Symonette announced Monday, September 14, 2009.

The Deputy Prime Minister Symonette urged Bahamians to support the festival by witnessing 25 countries on seven continents that will be on display at the Botanical Gardens.

The popular festival returns after a year hiatus due to the retirement of its chairman James Catalyn and a debate over whether or not the gardens should remain home to the event.

The International Cultural Festival, which is under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, grew out of the idea to recognise United Nations (UN) Day. This year The Bahamas will join member countries in celebrating the 64^th anniversary of the UN.

An integral part of the festival is the partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, which has embarked on a series of special advertisements of the event. The new ICF chairperson is Janet Johnson, director of communications, Ministry of Tourism and Aviation.

“As more and more foreign national groups organised themselves, it took on a life of its own and by all accounts, from the countless individuals – Bahamian and expatriate alike - who pleaded with me to bring it back when it went away last year, this gathering is the most popular event on the annual calendar of events and clearly is worth reviving,” Mr. Symonette said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he was also pleased that the members of the ICF have unanimously agreed to donate 10 percent of their booth earnings to assist with operational expenses and to support pledges to UN-related educational initiatives for Bahamian youth.

For two days festival patrons will experience the food, culture and heritage of the respective countries. A new addition is the Miss Universe Designer Fashion Show coordinated by MODE ILES and a glimpse of the Miss Universe National Costume Photo Gallery.

The Bank of the Bahamas will facilitate the “cashless” festive environment, a “safety mechanism to allow organisers to gauge the overall fiscal performance of the festival, Mr. Symonette said.

Burns House will unveil their Christmas wine collection and the public is welcome to sample the variety of wines and place their orders for the yuletide season at the Grand Wine and Food Tasting event between10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is lending its prestige to the event as the aegis of the Miss Universe Bahamian Designer Fashion Show, which features Androsia and Bahama Hand Print fabrics, as well as eight costumes donated to the festival by some of the Miss Universe contestants.

Another new feature will include the Builders Mall stage perched atop the hill. Commonwealth Building Supplies is giving the festival site “a much needed makeover” with a fresh lick of paint. Island FM is dubbed the official radio station of the festival; Subway is the proud sponsor of the Rake ‘n Scrape tradition bearers from Long Island and Echo Water is the official water of the festival.

Mr. Symonette commended the volunteers drawn from Rotary, Zonta, Girl Guides, and the Q’s service who will be involved in this year’s festival. Zonta will again host the UN- themed church service at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, October 25 at 9 a.m.

“Patrons are encouraged to come and move around from stall to stall and sample this unique taste of the universe – the cuisine, fine wines, special brews, arts and craft, exciting raffle prizes and the Western Union onstage cultural entertainment line-up. Make the 14^th Annual International Cultural Festival 2009 the place to be,” Mr. Symonette said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon Brent Symonette, centre, announcing plans for the 14th Annual International Cultural Festival to be held October 17 to 19, 2009. Pictured are ICF chairperson Janet Johnson, director of communications, Ministry of Tourism and Aviation; and Eric Carey, committee member. (BIS Photo/Kris Ingraham)