National Independence Festival of Creative Arts Celebrates 50 Years with New Awards and Bigger Prizes

In a gala celebration of five decades of public art, craft and creativity, the National Cultural Foundation on Wednesday launched the 50th National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) with an array of new awards and bigger prizes as the festival marks its full return from the COVID pandemic hiatus.

A series of concerts, exhibitions and gala events connecting the public with the creative efforts of schools, communities and individuals, NIFCA was the brainchild of Arden Clarke and his wife, the writer and broadcaster Jeanette Layne- Clarke, who joined with other leading lights in the arts and culture to stage the first festival in November 1973.

Over the last half-century, Barbadians from all walks of life have shown off their entries in the disciplines of fine arts and craft, dance, music. drama, literary arts, photography, culinary arts, and more recently, film and video, amid an air of artistic excellence and national pride as the nation celebrates the month of its independence.

Chief Cultural Officer Andrea Wells unveiled the new awards, including the NIFCA 50th Anniversary Award, featuring a cash prize of $2 000 for the most outstanding awarded entry in each discipline. Additionally, the Business Entrepreneurship Prize, valued at $15 000 in each discipline, aims to recognise topawarded individuals or groups whose entries demonstrate remarkable market potential.

Homegrown talent in dance and culinary arts are being honoured by NIFCA which introduced two Icon Awards in the names of dancer Gene Carson and chef Peter Edey, for their exceptional contributions within the junior category of their disciplines. Each award is valued at $3 000. The Best Folk Performance Award has been renamed the Emile Straker Award in honour of the music icon and co-founder of the Merrymen.

Under the theme “50 Years of Excellence Remembered,” the NIFCA launch event itself was a treat to attendees with mocktails crafted by renowned mixologist Phillip Antoine as guests were ushered into the Queen’s Park Steel Shed, where they were transported through time via video installations showcasing highlights from NIFCA’s past five decades. Saxophonist Kofi Gilkes provided a live, melodic backdrop to this visual journey.

Veteran actor Victor Clifford, in the role of a griot, chronicled NIFCA’s remarkable journey as he guided guests through Queen’s Park to the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre, where the night’s festivities continued.

In her welcome address, Dr Jasmine Babb, chair of the NCF’s board of management, emphasised the festival’s significance. She noted how NIFCA has served as a rite of passage, a platform for individuals, both young and not-so-young, to develop confidence in their voices and ideas. For others, NIFCA provided an opportunity to speak truth to power, a platform to raise their voices against practices in need of change.

Minister for Culture, Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, highlighted NIFCA’s grassroots nature. She stressed the importance of representation, allowing young people to take the stage with pride, fostering a connection between culture and national identity.

Munro-Knight also commended the NCF’s dedicated staff for their relentless commitment to preserving cultural heritage and fostering modern cultural expressions. She acknowledged their efforts in supporting communities, schools, the hundred-voice mass choir, the national symphony, the youth steel orchestra, and Barbados Landship docks.

Attendees were the first to see NIFCA’s brand-new jingle, which set the stage for an evening of entertainment. Violinist Dwain Gill’s rendition of Sometime by Leadpipe along with Ki’ann Browne’s gospel performance and the electrifying moves of dancer Guy Smith provided the audience with a brief reminder of the public festival’s ongoing legacy of Barbadian arts and entertainment. (STT)