ALL SYSTEMS READY FOR CARIFEST XV

Barbados is gearing up to host more than 1,000 cultural representatives from across the Caribbean when CARIFESTA XV opens this Friday, with organisers promising one of the biggest and most inclusive festivals in the region’s history.

At a media briefing, delegation leader Andrea Wells assured the island is ready, highlighting a “very rich and layered programming with activities for persons of all ages and all interests because that cultural training development is core to our mandate.”

“Our programme is not only showcasing where our artists get to show off what they have to offer, but great investment in training and development. We intend collectively that CARIFESTA will leave a lasting legacy impact in terms of development through arts education for our Barbadian community, and we’re sharing this richness with our Caribbean brothers and sisters,” she added.

Most activities will be free, though tickets for headline shows are available at the National Cultural Foundation and online. “Some tickets are going really quickly like hot cakes . . . those that are ticketed are going fast, but come out and support,” Wells noted.

Barbados’ 750-strong delegation will join a wide-ranging programme featuring culinary arts, dance, music, visual arts, theatre, and fashion. The opening ceremony begins at Freedom Park Golden Square, culminating with a fashion parade through Broad Street to Queen’s Park.

Local media coordinator Jewel Forde said the festival is attracting unprecedented participation: “We’re even getting, I believe, Guadeloupe . . . Suriname, Belize, so from the Dutch Caribbean we’re also seeing representation. We are expecting at last count . . . more than 1,500 people in just delegations alone . . . So it is going to be phenomenal.”