The Region’s hosting of CARIFESTA XV must reflect its theme: “Caribbean Roots. Global Excellence.” This is the call to action from the Regional Cultural Committee (RCC) during the Thirty-First Meeting of the body held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre in Bridgetown, Barbados, from 26 – 27 July.
Representing the Government of Barbados at the opening of the RCC, Michelle Maynard, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Division of Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, explained that CARIFESTA XV aims to highlight the rich cultural heritage as a bridge between human values and economic growth while positioning the Caribbean as a leader in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.
“Ultimately, CARIFESTA XV presents the opportunity to stimulate the local economy through increased tourism, job creation, and support for small businesses. This festival sees the coming together of hundreds of cultural practitioners, as well as members of the wider populace to network, perform, trade in cultural goods and services and witness a diverse offering of performances, exhibitions and interactive experiences,” stated the DPS.
In her remarks, Beverly Harry-Emmanuel, Advisor for Social Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, underscored that there is now a significant increase in regional and global awareness of the value and importance of the creative industries, and how they can contribute to sustainable development in small countries in the global South.
“These countries are recognised internationally for the excellence, richness and diversity of their cultural expressions,” stated the CARICOM Secretariat Advisor.
She added, “Directors of Culture have advocated for greater attention to and allocation of resources to the creative sector, resulting in significant changes in the enabling environment in the Region in terms of cultural policy, data collection, training, legislation and funding mechanisms at national and regional levels.”
During her remarks, Dr. Hilary Brown, Programme Manager for Culture and Community Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, reflected on the birth of the Festival, which, has been held 14 times in eight countries over the past five decades.
“The Festival has had great success in terms of entertainment value and in creating a forum for sharing and exchange among the Region’s artists,” stated Dr. Brown.
She also highlighted that over its 50-year history, CARIFESTA has raised public awareness of the value and importance of artists and the arts, and has contributed to the process of cultural and regional integration by strengthening perceptions of Caribbean unity and identity.
Festival Director Carol Roberts (CEO, National Cultural Foundation, Barbados) underscored that CARIFESTA XV is happening during difficult times but assured the RCC that the organising committee is inspired by the resilience, determination, and creativity of Caribbean artists.
“We are not daunted,” stated the Festival Director. “CARIFESTA is the truest expression of our collective creativity, heritage and culture. It is precious, sacred and world-class. It serves as that powerful lens through which we can celebrate and examine our world and our place in it.
She emphasised that beyond the cultural performances and entertainment, CARIFESTA offers the Region the unique opportunity for Member States to reflect on current challenges and how the Region can be transformed through sustainability.
“CARIFESTA XV is about new technologies, the pros and cons of using them…and how we can utilise these innovations to take our art and culture to the furthest reaches of the world,” stated the Festival Director.
She added, “CARIFESTA is about Youth and the kind of Region that we want our young people to inherit.”
The RCC has been instrumental in shaping cultural policy at the national and regional levels by advising Ministers of Culture on the many issues on the Region’s agenda and infusing the regional culture programme with new ideas, approaches and attitudes.