CARIFESTA XV marks Caribbean unity, creativity – CARICOM SG

CARIFESTA XV officially opened in Barbados on Friday evening, bringing together artists, performers, and cultural delegations from across the Caribbean and beyond for the region’s premier celebration of arts and creativity.
The festival, which runs from August 22 to August 31, 2025, under the theme “Caribbean Roots… Global Excellence”, celebrates the vibrancy, innovation, and resilience of Caribbean culture while addressing global challenges such as sustainability, peacebuilding, and regional development.
The event has returned to Barbados for the third time, following a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the country’s enduring commitment to arts, culture, and regional integration.
Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Carla Barnett, hailed CARIFESTA XV as a powerful showcase of Caribbean unity and creativity. She emphasised that the festival remains the region’s most significant platform for cultural expression, collaboration, and the development of the creative sector.
“Distinguished guests, the rich and inspiring theme for CARIFESTA XV, ‘Caribbean Roots, Global Excellence’, is an affirmation of a simple but powerful truth – our strength lies in understanding that, at its core, our history and our heritage are the source of our impact far beyond the shores of our region,” Dr Barnett said.
She highlighted that Caribbean artists and creative industries are widely respected internationally, giving the region a permanent and unique place in the global cultural landscape.
“The internationally acknowledged excellence in artistic expression and the creative industries has given Caribbean artistes a unique and indelible place in the global imagination. In CARICOM, Heads of Government have recognised culture as a priority area for building economic and social resilience, strengthening regional spirit and identity, and engaging our youth.”
Dr Barnett also explained CARIFESTA’s pivotal role in the Caribbean’s creative economy, stating that the festival acts as a catalyst for creative industry growth, strategic partnerships, digital innovation, and professional development opportunities for artistes.
For the first time, CARIFESTA welcomed artistes from the African continent, who staged highly acclaimed plays as part of the festival’s programme. Delegations from Latin America were also present, reflecting the event’s growing role in fostering cross-continental cultural exchange.
“I am especially delighted to welcome to CARIFESTA, for the first time, artistes from the African continent who will stage highly acclaimed plays during this programme. I also welcome our brothers and sisters from Latin America, who continue to support this premier regional festival,” Dr Barnett said.
She also praised the efforts of the festival organisers and participants, noting that their dedication ensures that CARIFESTA XV will stand as a lasting testament to the brilliance, boundless creativity, and resilience of Caribbean peoples.
The Guyana contingent made a grand entry, reminding audiences that Guyana has twice hosted CARIFESTA – first in 1972 and again in 2008 – contributing significantly to the festival’s rich history.
Heads of Government, Ministers of Culture, and officials from CARICOM member and associate states were welcomed by Dr Barnett, alongside cultural experts, entrepreneurs, and families from across the Caribbean and the diaspora.
As CARIFESTA XV continues over the next ten days, audiences can expect a full spectrum of Caribbean arts, including literature, visual arts, culinary arts, dance, theatre, drama, and storytelling, celebrating the region’s heritage while inspiring new generations of artists and cultural leaders.