CARIFIESTA XV was a showcase of art, culture and books

By Yolanda Marshall

The enthusiasm of artists at the Caribbean Writers and Artists Convention in Georgetown during the celebrations of Guyana’s Independence in 1966 and Republic in 1970 inspired then-Prime Minister Forbes Burnham to harness this creative energy. It led to the inaugural Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) in Guyana in 1972. It was as a vibrant showcase of Caribbean art and culture. This event is now held every few years in various Caribbean countries.

My father, a Guyanese/Bajan jazz musician, performed at the first CARIFESTA in 1972 in Guyana. Last week, I was honoured to perform in the Literary Arts at CARIFESTA XV held in the beautiful Island of Barbados, which is also a land of my heritage.

CARIFESTA celebrates and promotes Caribbean identity, unity, and creativity through the arts, serving as a powerful force for cultural expression, regional integration, youth development, and economic opportunity.

During the festival, I had the pleasure of meeting many remarkable writers from the Caribbean and beyond, including our highly acclaimed author, Canisia Lubrin, who won the 2025 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction and was a finalist for the 2024 Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction. I also had the opportunity to spend time with Itah Sadu, an award-winning storyteller of Bajan heritage, an internationally bestselling author, and the managing director of the Blackhurst Cultural Centre at a Literary Gala.

There were performances by artists, vendors from throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and Africa.  The music and discussions were powerful, the food delicious, and the vibes beyond what was promised!

Barbados’s Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, did warn us, “as we say in Barbados — miss it and blame yuhself!” – I am happy that I didn’t miss anything and that included the opportunity to meet her.

#CARIFESTAXV #Barbados #CaribbeanArts #CaribbeanCulture #LiteraryArts #CanisiaLubrin #ItahSadu #MiaMottley #CaribbeanUnity