Plans are in progress for the staging of the 2023 Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival.
Anderson “Leftist” Matheson, Coordinator of the Cultural Secretariat is spearheading the plans along with a team of volunteers. He said that the 28—30 April festival will involve the participation of groups from Carriacou, Grenada and Union Island.
Matheson said a decision was taken to not include a foreign artist this year, but to focus on showcasing mainly the rich cultural heritage of the twin-isle parish of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
Over the 3-day festival, performances are expected from groups involved in Big Drum and quadrille dancing, Shakespeare Mas’, as well as from a number of other local musical bands.
This year, the festival’s Friday night will take the form of a village maroon, which will be held in the northern community of Bayaleau. Thus far, said Matheson, they have received overwhelming support from the villagers.
The Maroon Festival, a Saturday night event, is usually held at the Belair Heritage Park. However, because the park is not in a state of readiness, the event dubbed “Cultural Explosion,” is being held at the Botanical Gardens, Hillsborough. The festival will culminate on the world-famous Paradise Beach.
Matheson said that while they have reached out to a number of sponsors, they are open to more and are also asking for volunteers to assist during the 3 days of festivities.
The festival is supported by the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs and Local Government.
Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs
