BARBADOS WELCOMES CARIFESTA XV: A TRIPLE CELEBRATION OF CULTURAL PRIDE

Matthew Pilgrim
Jun 1
3 min read

Updated: Jun 26

The Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) is the region’s premier, roving multi-disciplinary arts festival. It is a vibrant showcase of the Caribbean’s creative spirit and cultural unity. Since its inception in 1972, CARIFESTA has travelled across the region, hosted by large countries and small islands, each showcasing its unique cultural finesse to the festival.

To date, CARIFESTA has been held in over 12 Caribbean countries, debuting in Guyana in 1972. Since then the event has been hosted in Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Barbados, among others. Each territory adds new innovations to the legacy of the festival, reflecting the socio-political climate and cultural aspirations of the period. Barbados first hosted the festival in 1981 (CARIFESTA IV), and again in 2017 (CARIFESTA XIII). Now, eight years later, the island is preparing to stage CARIFESTA XV from August 22 nd – August 31 st, solidifying its position as a cultural leader in the region.

THREE ERAS, ONE ISLAND

1981 – CARIFESTA IV

At just 15 years post-Independence, Barbados hosted CARIFESTA for the first time. It was a period of strong institution-building and national identity formation. The festival emphasized the power of culture in shaping the post-colonial Caribbean and deepened regional cultural ties at a time when the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was still in its formative years.

2017 – CARIFESTA XIII

Returning to the island after 36 years, the 2017 edition came amid a global renaissance of Caribbean culture, particularly in music, film, and digital media. The festival embraced modern technology and a broader definition of Caribbean identity, including youth engagement, diaspora participation, and the emergence of creative industries as engines of growth. It also took place as the region wrestled with climate resilience and sustainable development.

2025 – CARIFESTA XV

The third hosting comes just three years after Barbados transitioned to a Parliamentary Republic in 2022, marking a significant step in its post-colonial journey. CARIFESTA XV aligns with a renewed national vision focused on innovation, climate action, and cultural diplomacy. This edition presents a powerful opportunity for Barbados to reintroduce itself to the region and the world — not just as a beautiful island, but as a creative powerhouse shaping the future of Caribbean identity.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Hosting CARIFESTA three times is more than a badge of honour. It is a reflection of Barbados’ long-standing commitment to regionalism, cultural excellence, and the creative economy. It reaffirms the island’s readiness to provide a world-class stage for the region’s finest artists, performers, thinkers, and storytellers.

“In 1981, Barbados was a young nation forging its post-Independence identity,” said a spokesperson for the CARIFESTA XV Secretariat. “In 2017, the island embraced a new era of digital and creative innovation. Now in 2025, as a Parliamentary Republic since 2022, Barbados is again ready to host the region, and the world, at a time when culture, sustainability, and innovation are central to our national mission.”

CARIFESTA XV will serve as a platform to highlight the vibrancy of Caribbean traditions, while also spotlighting emerging talents and trends in music, theatre, film, fashion, literature, and visual arts. It will feature pavilions from across the region, a Grand Market, symposiums, youth events, and collaborative showcases.

The festival is expected to boost cultural tourism, foster inter-island partnerships, and offer economic opportunities for local creatives, artisans, and entrepreneurs. As the countdown begins, Barbados stands poised to open its arms once again to the Caribbean and the world for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of heritage, innovation, and connection.