More can be done to give queens added shine
KRYSTAL TOMLINSON, in agreeing with some of the thoughts shared by Randall, says there could be more done to ensure that the winners of the competition are given more ways to shine.
“The level at which we involve a Festival Queen in national activities has to transcend and move beyond just a cultural event. So it’s not just Heroes Day that you should ask a Festival Queen to turn up,” she lamented. “Most times, she is invited to cultural events, so if we are to expand the reach of the crown, it will require that we not relegate a queen to just attending those events, but also become a part of other types of events and not just cultural ones.”
She also pointed out that the collaboration between past and current queens can also help with strengthening the competition.
“I think this [greater visibility for queens] is going to come through greater collaboration. In years past, we’ve seen where Festival Queens like a Dahlia Harris or a Jenny Jenny, have risen to the fore because of their sustained work in the field of arts and entertainment, and so you can’t help but notice them and respect what they have done with the platform,” she explained. “For 2017 and beyond, there needs to be a lot more collaboration among the Festival Queens in order to offer support and participate wholesomely in what the current queen is doing. That will allow us to tap into all our networks and drive more support and bring more attention to the work of the current Festival Queen. By lending our voices and our support to what the current queen is doing, it legitimises and firms up her own ability to stand on a platform convincingly.”