Preparations are underway in Barbados for what organizers are promising to be an extraordinary celebration at CARIFESTA XV, a major international multicultural event held periodically by Caribbean nations.
A CARICOM press statement shared that it will showcase an eclectic mix of dramatic and cultural performances, fashion, music, dance, and art installations.
The island nation is set to host its third edition of the festival, having previously welcomed participants in 1981 and 2017.
The previous edition, CARIFESTA XV, was hosted in Trinidad and Tobago in 2019 under the theme “Connect, Share, Invest.”
With less than two months remaining before the event, key representatives from CARICOM—including Directors of Culture, technical officials, and a team from the CARICOM Secretariat—are currently in Barbados for the Nineteenth Meeting of the Interim Festival Directorate, taking place from June 24 to 26, 2025, as well as the Thirty-First Meeting of the Regional Cultural Committee, scheduled from June 25 to 27, 2025.
The IFD serves as the regional governing body responsible for overseeing CARIFESTA. Its job includes reviewing the festival’s structure and ensuring alignment with the CARIFESTA strategic plan, with a primary focus of addressing the needs of Caribbean artists and promoting regional cultural growth.
During their visit, CARICOM reports that the delegates are gaining a close-up view of the festival venues, which will host a diverse array of performances and cultural activities—ranging from drama, fashion, and music to culinary arts and striking art displays.
The meeting is being co-chaired by Dr. Hilary Brown, Programme Manager of Culture at the CARICOM Secretariat, and Carol Roberts, Festival Director and CEO of the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados. In her opening remarks on Wednesday, Dr. Brown emphasized the significance of the IFD, which has been convening since 2006 to support the festival’s planning and execution.
“This is an important step that we take every time we have CARIFESTA…our delegations are in the host country to interact with the organizing team in order to develop a cultural performance that will excite our CARIFESTA audience,” Dr. Brown stated. She further highlighted, “The insight and guidance of the IFD are crucial to ensuring that CARIFESTA remains relevant and advantageous for all stakeholders involved.”
Carol Roberts, the Festival Director and CEO of the National Cultural Foundation, noted that the detailed discussions are instrumental for the success of CARIFESTA XV. She explained that the preparation process began in 2023 and that feedback from the IFD will be instrumental in refining plans and initiatives for the upcoming festival.
“This valuable insight we are utilizing to ensure that Barbados as host and the Region as a whole, can deliver an unforgettable CARIFESTA – unforgettable in all the best ways,” Roberts affirmed.
Dr. Brown also recounted that the Directorate originated from a proposal made by artists involved in CARIFESTA VIII in 2003.
They advocated for the establishment of a dedicated body to enhance the management and visibility of the festival, as well as to create more opportunities and foster development for regional artists.
Dr. Brown speaks about the importance of the IFD to CARIFESTA XV below:
Carol Roberts explains how the work of the IFD impacts CARIFESTA plans below:
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