CAYEGORY:CULTURE ------------------- By Trevor Thwaites Inside Grenada correspondent Tuesday January 03,2007 ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - The country’s rich cultural heritage will be showcased in abundance during the hosting of matches in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup (April 10-20). A Cricket World Cup 2007 Entertainment Secretariat has been set up to oversee the events and from all indications, the Spice Isle will be rocking during the period. “Showcasing Grenada through its Culture and Entertainment” is the theme being chosen for the occasion. Cultural officials Thomas Matthew and David Edwards are spearheading the activities, which aims to provide visitors and nationals with a taste of the country’s rich cultural diversity. Edwards said that the entertainment will be divided into three main categories – activities organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Grenada Cultural Foundation and the Grenada Carnival Committee, festival committees including Carriacou and Tivoli and events organized by private promoters and night clubs. Cultural events, Mini Carnival and Parish Festivals are being organized. The programme is expected to provide visitors with an experience of the national celebrations, which include Traditional and Fancy Mas Band Parade, Steel Band, Calypso and Soca performances. A Tourism Initiative Project is also planned to provide the best available entertainment at the various tourism locations and sites around the country, with performances by soloists, small, medium and large groups. Organizers say that Cultural Villages will be established at the Botanical Garden in Tanteen and at Lasagesse in St David. Cultural performances from soloists, groups, Theater Companies, Drummers, Calypsonians and String bands along with local food and Arts and Crafts are the main features. Other cultural activities including a taste of the theatre, Tivoli, Maroon, Sailing, St Patrick’s Day and Steel band festivals. Activities will be held at various locations throughout the country in places like the Morne Rouge Playing Field, Drive In Cinema, Quarantine Point, Beasejour, Moonlight City, the Arena, the Estuary and Bath way. Chief Cultural Officer Thomas Matthew said that they now working to prepare a full time table of the many events and activities at the various locations. He said that World Cup Entertainment Secretariat will be fully operational by the end of January 2007.