As Guyana prepares to host the 16th edition of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) in 2027, representatives of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat recently held discussions with the country’s Ministers who hold responsibility for culture. Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson and Minister within that Ministry, Steven Jacobs, visited the Caricom Secretariat for talks with a team headed by Adviser, Social Development, Beverly Harry-Emmanuel.

Programme Manager, Culture at the Caricom Secretariat, Dr Hilary Brown presented on the background and evolution of CARIFESTA, which formed the basis of discussions on elements of the region’s roving multidisciplinary, mega festival. Its wide range of events; financial, administrative, logistical and marketing components; and opportunities for creative industry development were among the agenda items. The inaugural CARIFESTA was held in 1972 in Guyana, which also hosted the festival in 2008. CARIFESTA XV was last held in Barbados in 2025.

The teams also discussed regional youth development following an overview by Programme Manager, Youth Development, Michele Small-Bartley. Since the inception of CARIFESTA, the country’s cultural landscape continues to evolve, with storytelling, literature, music, dance, and other creative expressions becoming key contributors to Guyana’s Orange Economy. Minister Jacobs has noted that CARIFESTA 2027 is expected to provide storytellers, performers, visual artists and other creatives with access to new opportunities while contributing to Guyana’s growing creative and cultural sector. Speaking at the Old Wives and Tall Tales Storytelling Festival at Castellani House on Thursday last, Minister Jacobs stressed that Guyana’s diversity is culturally rich and that storytelling is an important part of preserving that heritage. Against this backdrop, Minister Jacobs explained that events like these will prepare performers for the bigger stage. He highlighted the importance of children enjoying and listening to the storytelling experience. The Minister noted the importance of passing down these traditions to younger generations.