The Discover Dominica Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, is set to officially inaugurate the 25th edition of the World Creole Music Festival on Friday, July 4, 2025.
Announced via a DDA press release, the launch event will be broadcast live at 5:00 PM via the Dominica Festivals Facebook page, along with various media outlets.
This event invites the general public, media representatives, members of the diaspora, and music enthusiasts worldwide to tune into the livestream. Attendees will get their first look at this year’s festival theme, signature experiences, and the eagerly awaited lineup of performers. The launch traditionally signals the beginning of the countdown to the festival scheduled for October 24–26 at Windsor Park Sports Stadium in Roseau.
Discover Dominica Authority says that since its debut in 1997, the World Creole Music Festival has established itself as a premier cultural event in the Caribbean, drawing thousands of visitors each year during Dominica’s Independence Season. The Authority is promising that the 2025 edition will be a vibrant lineup featuring local legends, regional stars, and international acts, all showcasing the diverse and lively spirit of Creole culture. Additional special highlights for this milestone anniversary will be revealed during the live launch, according to the press release.
Festival tickets will be made available on www.dominicafestivals.com following the launch event.
Organized by the Discover Dominica Authority under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the World Creole Music Festival remains a flagship event, integral to Dominica’s cultural identity and tourism promotion efforts.
Marva Williams, CEO of the Discover Dominica Authority and Director of Tourism, expressed her excitement about the milestone, stating, “This silver anniversary is a moment of national pride. We are commemorating 25 years of Creole music and memories with a celebration that honors our roots and amplifies our cultural reach. We look forward to welcoming visitors and locals to experience the richness of Dominica’s culture.”
Isn’t this celebration 3 years too late? This math is not mathing, as the young people would say, to quote Mia Mottley. If the festival started in 1997, 25 years ( the Silver Anniversary) would have been reached in 2022. While we are at it, Dominica celebrates 50 years of independence in 2 years and I have not heard the government or the festival commission laying downing any plans for such an event. A vision for this should have been articulated 5 years ago; plans that would make it far more spectacular than the past to fit such a milestone. Big name artistes ( Kassav, Third World, Steel Pulse, etc. should already be contacted to see who is available and complete bookings a year in advance. Two stages should be built to accommodate a smooth flow of performaces (the next performer sets up his band on one stage while another is performing on the other). Some projects to clean up the island should be tackled and not wait for the last minute. Let us not wait; let us make it great!
I totally agree with you on this. Even our local artists like. Nasio Fontaine, Cool Session Brass are forever being excluded from the line up just to make room for FOREIGN ARTISTS.
Its 25 years. we miss 2 years after hurricane maria and 1 year during covid 19. Somebody can correct me if am wrong.
When I see the increasing number of vagrants sleeping on the dirty, dusty, streets it makes me shiver. These people are part of us. Where are the social programmes? There must be some form of intervention by the paid servants of the tax payers.
I said all that to point out the paradox of expending millions on esp and not even a tiny fraction of this vulgar amount to resurrect the lives of our brothers and sisters who have fallen on hard times.
This evil regime is more concerned about entertainment than saving or reviving lives. Wickedness!
I hope that Gordon Henderson and Exile One will be performing, not only because the WCMF is his brain child, but also in paying honorable tribute to the late Fitzroy Williams.