A New Generation Steps Into The CARIFESTA Story

Young people have always been part of the CARIFESTA journey, travelling with delegations and sharing in the excitement of the festival.

At CARIFESTA XV, that presence was intentionally deepened through the introduction of a Student Jamboree that welcomed young people into the full life of the festival. 

CARIFESTA is the Caribbean Festival of Arts, the region’s flagship cultural festival. 

Under the coordination of Dr. Nigel Taylor and his team, students from across the region travelled to Barbados to take part in festival activities, including performances, workshops, the Youth Village, and cultural exchanges.

The experience allowed young people not only to observe CARIFESTA, but to live it – building friendships, confidence, and a deeper understanding of shared Caribbean identity. 

Cultural practitioners say the Student Jamboree strengthened the festival by embedding cultural exchange as a lived experience, with lessons that extend beyond the festival’s 10-day run. 

That impact now continues through Echoes of Us – Our Voice. Our Vibe., the CARIFESTA XV Creative Youth Legacy Competition, which invites young people to reflect on their journey through songwriting, literary arts, and multimedia storytelling. The initiative ensures that youth voices are preserved as part of a regional digital legacy. 

As CARIFESTA bridges from its 2025 edition to the next festival scheduled for 2027, this youth-centred approach signals a lasting shift – positioning young people not only as future audiences, but as active authors of the Caribbean’s cultural story. 

Young people across the region are encouraged to enter the competition and become part of the CARIFESTA legacy.  (PR/GIS)