Folk Fair can change minds on job creation

THE Folk Fair is an ideal opportunity to intensify the drive to change undesirable mind sets about employment and job creation. This was the view expressed by Minister of Community Development and Gender Affairs Joan Yuille-Williams in an address to officially open the annual Food and Folk Fair at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain yesterday. “My ministry is committed to providing information that will foster a consciousness that anyone could be an employer or become self-employed,” she said. “Already, our field officers are being provided with the relevant stock of information for assisting members of communities to access increased knowledge about entrepreneurial and business development. To this end, we have received the commitment of the National Entrepreneurial Development Company (NEDCO) for the development of outreach programmes in the communities.” On the minister’s arrival at the venue at 11.15 am under blue skies and brilliantly hot sunshine, she was greeted and escorted to the main stage by the “Real Mokos,” a group of stilt walkers from Point Fortin who performed recently at the Black Circus in America, along with several East Indian and African dancers and tassa drummers.

Yuille-Williams indicated that over 175 communities had registered for booths, in which to showcase their foods this year, which was an increase from last year’s figure of 140. “The Folk Fair has grown by leaps and bounds because it satisfies important social and economic needs of thousands of people,” she contended. “It provides a widely anticipated meeting place for many friends and families in the annual rural-urban reunions.” Eulalie James, Minister of State in the Ministry of Community Development and Gender Affairs, reminded that the Folk Fair had survived and expanded over 40 years, which, she determined, was “a genuine cause for celebration.” Several villages, including Tobago, participated in the simple ceremony of Presentation of Traditional Foods or “laying of the ancestral table” to the beat of tassa drums. Yuille-Williams announced that in keeping with the ministry’s commitment to change and continuous development, next year there will be additional Folk Fairs in Tobago and San Fernando, as well as expansion of the event to three days. “The expansion of the Folk Fair should increase the level of participation and encourage greater support for the community-centred enterprises,” she said.

“The tradition of Folk Fair, which you are now enjoying, will also be expanded over a period of three days, with a full day being set aside for activities for children. “Folk Fair 2003 is therefore a transition to a phase in the celebration of our folk traditions which will enhance the status of the Best Village Programme on the calendar of national events.” The all-day event was scheduled to close with a cultural programme titled “We Ting,” starting on the main stage at 6 pm. Hosted by Dennis “Sprangalang” Hall, the programme’s playbill featured performances by reigning National Calypso Monarch Singing Sandra (Sandra DesVignes), Shadow (Winston Bailey), Baron (Timothy Watkins), Maximus Dan, Shammi, Johnny King, Heeralal Rampartap, Bomber (Clifton Ryan), Pink Panther (Eric Taylor) and Brother Valentino (Emrold Phillip).