In a significant administrative overhaul, the Antigua and Barbuda government has formally restructured the management framework for national cultural events. Following Cabinet approval, the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has been granted exclusive authority to organize and execute the country’s premier annual celebrations: the summer Carnival and the One Nation Concert.
The decision emerged from recommendations presented by the minister overseeing creative industries, aiming to expand the Commission’s operational mandate. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed the development during the weekly Cabinet briefing, stating the move is designed to clarify roles and enhance efficiency.
Concurrently, certain events previously handled by the Festivals Commission—such as National Heroes Day and VC Bird Day—will be transferred to the Department of Creative Industries. This division will now coordinate these activities internally using ministry staff, creating a more specialized distribution of event management responsibilities.
The Cabinet notably praised the Commission for its exemplary organization of the most recent One Nation Concert, heralding it as a benchmark for future productions. Officials highlighted that the event not only demonstrated national capacity for delivering world-class cultural entertainment but also strengthened community cohesion and bolstered the nation’s reputation as a premier cultural destination.
This strategic realignment is ultimately intended to streamline event management protocols, delineate institutional duties more clearly, and fortify the execution of Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural programming on a national scale.