The music festival known as Saint Jazz and Arts is officially in full swing! The opening night on Wednesday began an exhilarating week of music, culture, and celebration. From the bustling streets of Castries to the serene valleys of the hinterland, the island is presently drenched in melodies that transcend genres, filling every corner with rhythm and soul.
We can, without contradiction, say that the Festival is more than just a showcase of world-class talent—it is a movement that pulses through the veins of Saint Lucia each year. The fringe events, born from the main jazz festivities, have transformed communities into vibrant stages, ensuring that the magic of jazz reaches every resident and visitor alike. These local performances in intimate venues and open-air spaces contribute to the rhythm that now courses through the island, from its lofty peaks to its sun-kissed seashores.
We are talking about Soufriere Jazz, Monchy Mizik En Kweyol, the Jazz Sampler, Junior Jazz and Arts Festival, the Chosieul Jazz Feista, Hills and Valleys Inspirational Jazz in Bexon, Saint Lucia’s newest venue, Jazz en Vierge at Point Viere, Micoud and several other places across the country.
And there is more because, beyond the music, the Festival serves as a powerful economic engine. Hospitality businesses, from hotels to guesthouses, and even Airbnb experience a surge in bookings as tourists flock to Saint Lucia for the festivities. Restaurants and street vendors are thriving, offering culinary delights that complement the musical experience. Artisans and local creatives are showcasing their work, capitalising on the influx of visitors eager to take home a piece of Saint Lucian culture. Even transportation services—from taxis to tour operators—are seeing increased demand, as festivalgoers explore the island between performances.
The festival culminates on Sunday, May 11, a day of dual significance. As the final notes of jazz echo across the island, Saint Lucians will also celebrate Mother’s Day, a fitting end to a week of artistic expression and communal joy. On that day, our airwaves will be swollen with jazz and other musical genres, ensuring that the spirit of the festival lingers long after the last performance.
The week before us is alive with music, culture, and opportunity as the Festival, which is a heartbeat, a rhythm and a celebration of everything that makes this island extraordinary, seems not to have lost its flavour in 2025. This week, let us be part of the melody that is pulsing through the veins of this country. Let us put down the weapons that threaten lives and cause harm for one glorious week of music enjoyment, which need not be marred by anything aggressive or pugnacious.
As we take in the diverse line-up of international and local artists across multiple genres, let us remember to stay focused, stay away from trouble, which comes in different disguises.
Let us keep the Festival free from violence this year, after all, it has grown from a tender shoot in 1992, when it first started, into the Caribbean’s premier music festival, attracting musical icons and boosting tourism, a major economic driver for Saint Lucia.