St Lucia Labour Party slam government over Carifesta

The opposition St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) has called out the government for failing to support artists heading to Carifesta 13.

The St Lucian delegation heading to the multicultural festival, which is being held Barbados, have been provided with $72,000 from the government to fund the effort.

In 2015, SLP-led government gave $200,000 for St Lucia’s artists to be part of Carifesta 12.

“Once again the UWP government has made it clear that the development and respect of the arts is not a priority,” the SLP said in a statement.

“Coming soon after the closure of the Derek Walcott House and the uncertainty of the future of the Cultural Complex, the UWP has failed to provide adequate support to the Saint Lucian delegation attending Carifesta 13 in Barbados.”

Attitude shift

Should the SLP return to government at the next election, the arts sector would receive a boost in funding, the party said.

“The St Lucia Labour Party condemns both the paltry sum provided by the government and the attitude displayed by Culture Minister Senator Fortuna Belrose when she informed the public that artists representing Saint Lucia were to ‘help themselves’ by ‘raising their own funds’ but when ministers of government travel ‘the state has an obligation to provide certain privileges’,” the opposition added.

Carifesta 13, which had its opening affected by the passage of Tropical Storm Harvey, is scheduled to run until 27 August.