The Flow Grand Kadooment powered by TV8 was officially launched on Thursday, with title sponsor Flow Barbados announcing a significant increase in its investment in this year’s Crop Over season.
Speaking during the media launch at Pelican Village, vice-president and general manager of Flow Barbados, Desron Bynoe revealed that the telecommunications company had boosted its sponsorship commitment by more than 20 per cent compared to last year.
“Today, I’m proud to announce that for the third consecutive year Flow is once again the title sponsor of the largest spectacle in Barbados. This year, it is the Flow 5G+ Grand Kadooment.
CEO of Liberty Caribbean Inge Smidts, signing the cheque of $160,000 over the NCF during the Flow Grand Kadooment media launch (Photo Credit: Shamar Blunt/Barbados TODAY)
“For decades our company has supported Crop Over and the creative industry. This year, our contribution to the festival is valued at over $300,000. This is an investment increase of over 20 per cent compared to last year, spanning both the National Cultural Foundation produced and private events,” Bynoe said.
He noted that the company’s continued involvement reflects its longstanding support for the island’s cultural industries and the wider Crop Over festival.
“Last year, we marked a major milestone as we brought the fastest mobile experience to our customers, the 5G Plus technology. We are also the official telecommunications partner of the Crop Over Festival, and our Liberty brand returns as associate sponsors of Fusion, an event that continues to highlight the incredible artistry and innovation of Barbadian creatives,” Bynoe said.
Chairman of the National Cultural Foundation, Dr Jasmine Babb said Grand Kadooment remains one of the most important cultural showcases on the island’s calendar and represents the culmination of months of work by creatives and stakeholders across Barbados.
Chairman of the National Cultural Foundation, Dr Jasmine Babb. (Photo Credit: Shamar Blunt/Barbados TODAY)
“Grand Kadooment is not only the penultimate event of this Crop Over season, but the grand expression of months of creativity, planning, craftsmanship and cultural energy.
“It is where masquerade bands, designers, musicians, dancers, revelers, vendors, service providers, and communities all come together to present Barbados at its most vibrant,” Babb said.
She stressed that the NCF’s role extended beyond staging events. She said it also focused on preserving and promoting Barbadian culture through platforms that celebrate local talent and identity.
“For the National Cultural Foundation, this event sits at the heart of our mandate. Our role is not only to produce events, but to create platforms that allow Barbadian culture to be seen, experienced, respected and sustained. Grand Kadooment does exactly that,” Babb said.
She also highlighted the significance of this year’s celebrations as Barbados observes its 60th anniversary of Independence.
“This year, as Barbados marks its 60th anniversary of independence, Grand Kadooment carries even greater meaning. It reminds us that our culture is one of the strongest expressions of who we are.
“The colour, movement, music and artistry on the road are not simply entertainment; they are part of our national identity and part of the story we continue to tell as a people,” she said.
(SB)
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