Barbados Today

ST JOHN’S — The culture industry is considered one of the most booming sectors globally, and cabinet and the Ministry of Culture are hoping to capitalise on this by employing the services of five local artistes to market the twin-island nation.

This is according to Minister of Culture Eleston “Namba” Adams who yesterday said lead singer of Red Hot Sir Clarence “Oungku” Edwards, reigning Soca Monarch Tian Winter, former soca monarchs Claudette CP Peters and Tanzania Tizzy Sebastian and 2012 Road March champ and lead singer of Burning Flames Toriano Onyan Edwards, have already taken up duty as cultural ambassadors.

“We have decided on those five individuals because they are at the top of their game at this moment and by appointing them as cultural ambassadors, we are setting the stage for them to go on to continue to do the fine work they are doing in promoting Antigua & Barbuda throughout the region and further afield,” Adams said.

The culture minister said it is important for upcoming artistes to aspire to achieve the level of professionalism of those selected for ambassadorship.

He noted that these artistes attract the biggest turnout to Carnival City each year and pre-carnival and carnival fetes are well attended once these artistes are featured in the line up.

Adams added that the newly-appointed ambassadors would not be issued with diplomatic passports. (Antigua Observer)