The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has been given sole responsibility for organizing and executing the country’s annual Carnival celebrations and the One Nation Concert, following a Cabinet decision to restructure the management of national cultural events.
Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office Maurice Merchant said Cabinet approved recommendations from the minister responsible for creative industries to expand the commission’s mandate.
“The Cabinet therefore agreed that the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission will be solely responsible for the organization and the execution of the One Nation Concert and the country’s annual summer festival, Carnival,” Merchant said during the weekly Cabinet briefing.
As part of the restructuring, events traditionally managed by the Festivals Commission — including National Heroes Day and VC Bird Day — will now fall under the responsibility of the Department of Creative Industries within the ministry.
“Events previously organized and executed by the Festivals Commission, to include National Heroes Day, VC Bird Day, et cetera, will be the responsibility of the Department of Creative Industries,” Merchant said, adding that those activities will be coordinated and executed in-house by ministry staff.
Cabinet also commended the Festivals Commission for its staging of the most recent One Nation Concert, describing it as a benchmark for future events.
“Cabinet commended the Festivals Commission for the staging of the One Nation Concert, stating that it was one of the best organized concerts in Antigua and Barbuda in recent times,” Merchant said.
He said Cabinet noted that the event demonstrated the country’s capacity to deliver large-scale cultural productions.
“It showcased Antigua and Barbuda’s ability and its capacity to deliver world-class cultural events while strengthening community cohesion and also enhancing the country’s reputation as a premier destination for entertainment and culture,” Merchant said.
The changes are intended to streamline event management, clarify institutional responsibilities and strengthen the delivery of national cultural programmes.
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Festivals Commission has always been responsible for Carnival since it was formed and also the One Nation concert from its inception so please explain what point they are trying to prove now. They think people don’t see the Festivals Commission logo on all of the carnival and One Nation Concert artwork?