Every two years, CARICOM and CARIFORUM countries of the Caribbean and Latin America gather to celebrate the spirit of their people through the expressions of Art, Music, Food, Folklore, Theatre and Dance at the Caribbean Festival of Arts known as CARIFESTA.

In 2017, Barbados will be hosting the 13th edition of this exciting Festival with participation by over four thousand artists, artistes and artisans under the theme “Asserting Our Culture, Celebrating OurSelves“.

THE THEME

Asserting Our Culture, Celebrating OurSelves speaks to the connectivity of the region brought about by our common history and heritage and the strong sense of community and identity this connectivity generates.

It is also informed by the commitment made by Ministers at the 22nd Meeting of the COHSOD held in February 2012 in Guyana to implement the new CARIFESTA model on an incremental basis in future presentations of the event.

Specifically it draws on their view that greater emphasis should be placed on the development of the cultural industries in the region as well as Festival Tourism, which for Barbados is being placed within the broader sphere of cultural tourism.

THE BIGGEST SUMMER FOR CARIBBEAN CULTURE

The Festival will be part of the Barbados Big Summer of Festivals season, as it will closely follow Crop Over… the Sweetest Summer Festival, which is known for its unique Barbadian masquerade, soca music and revelry.

Unlike Crop Over, CARIFESTA is a gathering of over 23 Caribbean and Latin America nations showcasing a wide array of disciplines including film; folk traditions; several genres of music, theatre and dance; traditional culinary cuisine inclusive of national dishes and beverages at the largest gathering for Artistic expressions.

With it Super Concerts featuring Regional and International star studded performances; its Signal Events for the High Arts; and the traditions of many Country Nights showcases, CARIFESTA XIII, August 2017, is set to make Barbados a popular Summer Holiday destinations for 2017.