CARIFESTA: It’s history in a nutshell

CARIFESTA Returns to Barbados in 2025: A Call to Sustain the Spirit of Caribbean Unity Through Culture Festival to run from August 22–31, 2025 in Bridgetown. Organizers stress importance of continued support for landmark cultural event BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — The Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), widely regarded as the premier celebration of Caribbean cultural identity, is set to return to Barbados from August 22 to 31, 2025. With a history spanning over five decades, CARIFESTA has grown into a powerful platform for showcasing the region’s rich artistic heritage and promoting unity through creative expression.

Background Originally inspired by early cultural festivals in Puerto Rico (1952) and Trinidad, CARIFESTA took formal shape in Guyana in 1972 under the vision of then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham. Since then, the festival has brought together thousands of artists and performers in disciplines ranging from music and dance to literature, craft, and the visual arts. Held in various Caribbean countries over the years, the festival has become a symbol of regional integration and pride.

The vision continues As Barbados prepares to host the event for the third time, cultural stakeholders are calling for sustained investment and regional support to ensure CARIFESTA’s longevity and continued relevance. The rallying cry supported by this year’s theme ‘Caribbean Roots, Global Excellence.’ “This is not just a festival—it’s a cultural movement,” said Festival Director Carol Roberts- Reifer. “CARIFESTA celebrates who we are, unites our people, and provides a global stage for our artists. To let it fade would be to neglect one of the most powerful vehicles of Caribbean self-expression and solidarity.”

The festival’s objectives—ranging from promoting artistic excellence and youth engagement to fostering cultural industries and regional unity—underscore its importance beyond entertainment. With advancements in media and communication technologies, CARIFESTA also aims to expand the reach of Caribbean culture across diasporas and global audiences. Barbadians invited to participate As preparations intensify, organizers are urging regional governments, businesses, and citizens to recognize CARIFESTA as a shared treasure. “If we want to continue telling our stories, nurturing talent, and building unity,” added Roberts-Reifer, “we must support CARIFESTA—not just as an event, but as a vision for our Caribbean future.”

Previous CARIFESTAs at a glance:

I 1972  Guyana Aug 25 – Sep 15

II 1976  Jamaica July 23 – Aug 2

III 1979  Cuba July 16–22 [5]

IV 1981  Barbados July 19 – Aug 3

V 1992  Trinidad and Tobago August 22–28

VI 1995  Trinidad and Tobago August 19–?

VII 2000  Saint Kitts and Nevis August 17–26

VIII 2003  Suriname August 25–30

IX 2006  Trinidad and Tobago August 10–15

X 2008  Guyana August 22–31

XI 2013  Suriname August 16–26

CARIFESTA: It’s history in a nutshell

XII 2015  Haiti August 21–30

XIII 2017  Barbados August 17–27

XIV 2019  Trinidad and Tobago August 16–25