If the old Bajan saying that “licks does make yuh stronger” is accurate, by now the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) should be a model child. Very few public entities take a pounding each year as the NCF does.
And while even its strongest defenders would have to admit that much of the criticism over the years has been invited by the decisions or actions of the foundation and/or its representatives, truth be told, the institution has done a lot to earn our praises.
Maybe the criticism is because just about everything it does is executed in the full glare of the public and many of its partners/stakeholders are some of the most sensitive, and at times thin-skinned people.
Tomorrow Crop Over Festival 2014 gets into full gear with the Republic Bank Crop Over City Fest And Ceremonial Delivery Of The Last Canes in Bridgetown and until August 4, Kadooment Day, the NCF will be under intense pressure. Every word, every action of its operatives will be scrutinised; every flaw in each event will be amplified; every dissatisfied patron or performer will point a finger at the folk from West Terrace.
And that’s understandable. You do not have responsibility for an undertaking that injects approximately $80 million into the national economy annually, especially at this time when everyone is watching every dollar, without being subject to intimate scrutiny.
For all its faults, however, the NCF pulls off a fine “show” each year and deserves a few more pats on the shoulder than it receives. The foundation has turned the trilogy of steel pan events into a must-attend series each Crop Over; fresh life has been given to gospel music at this time of year; the natural and built heritage of Bridgetown has never before received such attention; and accept it or not, calypso [even if not traditional social commentary] is still the bedrock of the annual calendar.
What’s clearly missing, and what has been emphasised this year by the challenging state of the economy, is the overall lack of financial support for the festival. Yes, a number of the big-name sponsors have remained faithful to the festival and the NCF, but there are countless others who are content to rake in the financial rewards while giving back little or nothing.
An agency that is responsible for a festival that generates that kind of revenue for the benefit of so many should not be so starved for funds each year – and anyone who suggests that the answer should be the Government allocating more to the NCF is not being fair.
We can pillory the foundation for dropping the roster of Cavalcades this year, but if more of the beneficiaries had contributed, hosting four of five such shows would not have been a problem.
Unfortunately, those who benefit cannot be forced to make contributions to the development of the events from which their coffers are fattened, but their business consciences ought to prick them. Every Barbadian, or visitor, who participates in Crop Over can identify the brands that reap the rewards but whose names are not associated with even the smallest of events.
So knock the NCF when it deserves it – but collectively we should extend the rod of correction to where it is deserved.
