Barbados in historic line-up at Venezuela Theatre Arts Festival

Barbados and the Caribbean are for the first time being represented in Venezuela’s national theatre festival at which the issue of reparations will be a talking point, marking another first for the event.

The 11-member group of Barbadian singers, dancers, actors and musicians, under the name Caribbean Fusion, is attending the International Progressive Theatre Festival to perform a piece that highlights the role played by Nanny Grigg in the 1816 Revolt.

Ahead of the contingent’s departure, Special Envoy in the Prime Minister’s Office on Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement Trevor Prescod said participation in the festival was “a great opportunity for a small state like Barbados to be demonstrating the high quality and skills of our artistes”.

“I hope that whatever you do in Venezuela will resonate all across Latin America,” he told the performers.

Coordinator of the group Kevin Carvalho said he hoped that when the group returned, arrangements would be made for Barbadians to be “treated to this delightful buffet of education, history and entertainment”.

Akil Ifill, a member of the contingent, agreed that the performance is one which “the entire nation needs to see”.

Akil Ifill, a member of the Barbadian group, said their production is one that the entire nation needs to see. (JB)

Venezuela’s Ambassador to Barbados Martha Ortega Peraza pointed out that culture is a way to connect everybody, as she noted that there would be representatives from countries across the world at the festival.

She said it is not only the first time the Caribbean is participating in the festival, but the first time the issue of reparations would be highlighted.

“You are representing not only the Caribbean, you are representing all the African spirit and all the struggle of the African people in the world because it is the first time that in that space that we can talk about reparations,” she said.

Under the theme Let Humanity be Humane, the third edition of the International Festival of Progressive Theatre in Venezuela has brought together more than 180 groups from the host country and more than 20 countries from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, with Cuba as a guest country.

In addition to a range of performances, the festival includes meetups, exchanges and seminars. It ends on March 31. (BT)