The Bermuda Government has earmarked funds for local artists to participate in the 13th Caribbean Festival of Arts to be held in Barbados this year.

Funding will be provided for more than 30 persons to perform in areas including music, dance, storytelling and theatre, Nandi Outerbridge, the Minister of Social Development and Sport, said while delivering budget details for the coming fiscal year.

“The Department of Cultural Affairs also plans to send artwork produced by Bermuda’s premier visual artists and some of the island’s outstanding literal works,” Ms Outerbridge told the House of Assembly yesterday.

According to Ms Outerbridge, Carifesta, “the premier, roving, multidisciplinary mega arts festival that showcases the cultural expressions of artists from various countries in the Caribbean region”, will be held from August 17-27. Noting Bermuda’s cultural and historical connections with the Caribbean, she said this year’s theme — “Asserting Our Culture, Celebrating Ourselves” — is an opportunity for Bermuda to be showcased on the world stage.

The festival was first held in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1972, and Bermuda participated in the seventh edition in St Kitts and Nevis in 2000. Ms Outerbridge said more than 3,000 artists and artisans are expected this year.

“Although the advantages to be gained by such participation by our artists, craftspeople and folk artists can not be directly measured in dollars and cents, participation would provide great exposure to Bermudian artists and afford persons the opportunity to network with their artistic peers as well as others in similar cultural industries.” A total of $112,000 have been reallocated from other Department units to the Special Project business unit and Ms Outerbridge said funds would be used for airfare, accommodation, subsistence and promotional items.

Ms Outerbridge also revealed that this year’s Gombey Festival, “held annually to provide exposure to the folk art and traditions of the Gombey”, would be extended.

“This year, the Gombey Festival will be expanded to a full weekend of events and learning opportunities, celebrating not only our Bermudian Gombey traditions but also international influences from across the diaspora.

“It is the Department’s vision that the Gombey Festival will evolve into an internationally known event, attracting overseas troupes and visitors alike to our shores.”

Ms Outerbridge added that as part of this expansion, the Department would also “be working with at least one historian on academic research on Bermuda’s Gombey tradition, including links with similar traditions in the Caribbean and West Africa”.

The event falls under the cultural festivities and celebrations section, which also include the emancipation commemorative ceremony and Harbour Nights, and which was allocated $184,000 in the 2017/18 budget.