THANKS to the steadfast support of corporate sponsors who handed over their sponsorship cheques at a media event on Thursday, the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival is expected to flourish this year.
Corporate support has been essential to the festival’s strategic placement on the international scene over the years.
Respected speakers underlined how crucial this assistance is to the success of the event. The 33-year-old event is well known for bringing a vibrant energy to the island and bringing together music, culture, and community in a way that has a profound impact.
It is a movement that brings generations together, showcases artistic brilliance, and solidifies Saint Lucia as a centre for top-tier talent. It is more than just a festival.
The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival (SLAJ) is the region’s finest cultural and musical event, according to Thaddeus Antoine, Chair of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA).
He said, “The festival is pivotal to our identity as a people and for future generations.”
Antoine underlined that one of the most important tactics used by SLTA to increase the destination’s exposure and visibility through dynamic worldwide promotions is effective marketing. He pointed out that an artistic direction that showcases a wide variety of artists for different age groups and musical tastes is an essential component of preparation.
Additionally, the SLAJ spectacular guarantees that local artists receive priceless exposure to further improve their skills. He revealed a brand-new, intriguing feature: a Festival Village with local crafts and a lavish Culinary Village.
Antoine emphasized the festival’s substantial financial advantages for nearby companies and entrepreneurs that serve attendees throughout the course of the two to three-week event.
Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Minister of Tourism and Creative Industry, acknowledged the importance of the corporate partners in ensuring the festival’s success and conveyed his sincere gratitude for their support. He confirms that the festival’s expansion is intrinsically linked to the backing of these vital partners, which helps it reach even higher levels.
He described the festival as a potent economic engine that supports community impact and elevates artistic excellence.
Louis Lewis, the CEO of SLTA, celebrated the festival’s 33-year history with pride and emphasized the value of private sector participation in its international marketing. He noted that the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival was renamed in 2013 to incorporate the arts component.
The tourist minister, who envisioned Saint Lucia as the “green heart” of the Caribbean, fervently promoted an eco-friendly festival setting.
Julien Alfred, Saint Lucia’s first Olympic Gold Medalist and Tourism Ambassador, praised the festival’s influence and urged tourists to take in the island’s breathtaking scenery and revel in its grandeur.
The Cultural Development Foundation’s (CDF) Executive Director, Raymona Henry-Wynn, gave a lively summary of the Arts and the City initiative and the related performances, emphasizing the diverse artistic expressions of the island’s gifted craftspeople and artists.
She claimed that the CDF’s program transcends the arts and offers a life-changing training and development platform while creating a legacy for future generations.
The CDF’s clarion call: Feel the rhythm, see the art, and live the culture!
The corporate sponsors making this all possible include:
– Presenting Partner: Bank of Saint Lucia Ltd.
– Platinum Sponsors: LUCELEC (Music & The Arts), Republic Bank (Presenting Sponsor of the Arts)
– Corporate Partner: WASCO
– Airfreight Logistics Partner: DHL
– Gold Sponsors: King Ocean Shipping Services, Unicomer Saint Lucia, MCE Sound LTD
– Silver Sponsors: ACADO, St. Lucia Distillers, Heineken Saint Lucia, Digicel Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda Festivals
– Bronze Sponsors: Sagicor General, ECGC, SIXT Car Rental, SOL, KFC (Music & The Arts)
– Collateral Sponsors: Berkeley Bank and Trust, Blue Waters Ltd, Massy Stores (Supporting the CDF’s Arts Component).