Cayman Delegation Heads to Barbados as CARIFESTA Returns After Hiatus

A 70-member Cayman delegation heads to Barbados this month for the return of the Caribbean festival of Arts, CARIFESTA XV, a celebration of creativity through art, music, dance, literature, drama and painting.

Despite a six-year hiatus, the Cayman Islands has been participating in CARIFESTA since its inception. The multicultural event, which began in 1970, brings together over 1,000 artists across the Caribbean region and South American countries, and serves to foster cultural exchange, encourage collaborations, and build friendships across cultures.

The last CARIFESTA was held in Trinidad and Tobago in 2019.

“The ministry is incredibly pleased to have a diverse and talented delegation representing us at this year’s CARIFESTA. Events like these not only allow us to showcase our unique cultural heritage, but also offer exposure and growth for our creatives and artists. We trust this experience will have a lasting impact on each member of the delegation,” the Ministry of Culture noted in a statement to the Cayman Compass.

This year’s themed ‘Caribbean Roots; Global Excellence’ 10-day festival will feature a variety of events, including an opening ceremony in Bridgetown, a Grand Market and Literary market at Waterford, short film screenings, visual art and heritage exhibition openings, and a grand finale at the National Performing Arts Centre.

Showcasing multiple disciplines

The Cayman delegation, led by Culture Minister Isaac Rankine and Chief Officer Teresa Echenique, will include participants from multiple disciplines such as music (Cayman Islands Folk Singers and Heat), Dance (UCCI Dance Company and Cayman Islands National Dance Company), literary arts (poetry, Maia Muttoo), visual arts (film, Jazz Pitcairn), symposia (film, art and fashion), and craft artisans.

The Cayman Islands Folk Singers will be among several members attending the festival for the first time. For 14 years, the group of more than 20 amateur singers and musicians has entertained local, regional and international audiences with Caymanian folk stories and songs at various events and concerts with its repertoire of Caymanian favourites.

“It is exciting to be able to share our unique, local Caymanian songs with such a broad audience of participants and attendees,” the group said.

Rankine said, “I am thrilled that the ministry is able to offer this unique experience to our people because it is an opportunity for them to tell our unique story through multiple disciplines. We all know that Cayman has no shortage of talent here, and I cannot wait for the delegation to grace the stage and really [show] the rest of Caribbean who we are and ‘Weh We From’.”

The delegation leaves for CARIFESTA XV on 22 Aug. and returns on 29 Aug. Ahead of the showcase, officials confirmed a sneak peak of the festival performances will be held on Saturday, 16 Aug, at 6pm at the Harquail Theatre. Admission is free.