The Bank of Saint Lucia (BOSL) has been announced as the presenting sponsor for the highly anticipated 2025 Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, continuing its longstanding support for the event.
Celebrating three decades of partnership, BOSL’s sponsorship was unveiled during a check presentation ceremony on Thursday at Sandals Halcyon, where key figures in the tourism sector gathered to discuss the upcoming festival, set for April 30 to May 11.
Among the attendees were Minister for Tourism Dr Ernest Hilaire, Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) Louis Lewis, SLTA Chairman Thaddeus Antoine, Head of Marketing at SLTA Dexter Percil, and other tourism officials, sponsors, and media representatives.
Lewis highlighted the importance of the sponsors, who he described as essential partners in maintaining the festival’s authenticity and global appeal.
“Through the Jazz Festival, we are presenting options that are not available anywhere else on the planet. So we are not talking Saint Lucia, we are not talking the region, we are talking globally and how we feature Saint Lucia and the attractions that are available in Saint Lucia,” Lewis said. “None of that would have if we did not have that collaboration that exist now with our partners.”
Lewis also acknowledged the involvement of other key organisations, such as the Events Company of Saint Lucia and the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), whose contributions are vital to the festival’s success.
This year, the festival will place a strong emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices. “We want to see people avoiding plastics, avoiding some of the bottles…in a bid to preserve the environment,” Lewis added. “Sustainability for a tourism destination is key, and if we have our way not too long from now, not only will we be recognised as the place where the Jazz & Arts Festival takes place every year, but we may be seen as the green heart of the Caribbean.”
A promotional video featuring Saint Lucia’s Tourism Ambassador, Julien Alfred, was shown at the event, alongside a presentation by Executive Director of the CDF, Rameau Henry-Wynne. The CDF is responsible for the festival’s arts component, Art & the City.
“Jazz & the City presents more than just an arts component; it also provides opportunities for development and growth,” Wynne said.
This year’s festival will feature exciting additions such as La Belle Kweyol—a gala evening in honour of the late cultural icon Theresa Hall, Life in Colour—a showcase of visual arts, Jazz & Arts on the Square, Voices of the Underground—a platform for emerging talent, and Ti Tak Ste Lisi—a craft and souvenir market. Wynne also stressed that training and cultural education would be integral to the Arts & the City programming.
SLTA’s Geraine Georges also introduced the festival’s sponsors, who presented symbolic checks to the organisers. Sponsors include:
- Presenting Sponsor: Bank of Saint Lucia (BOSL)
- Platinum Sponsors: LUCELEC, Republic Bank, WASCO
- Gold Sponsors: King Ocean Shipping, Unicomer, MCE Sounds
- Silver Sponsors: ACADO, Saint Lucia Distillers, Heineken Saint Lucia, Digicel, Antigua and Barbuda Festivals, DHL
- Bronze Sponsors: Sagicor, ECGC, Sixth Car Rental, Sol, Real Foods (KFC)
- Collateral Sponsors: Berkeley Bank & Trust, Blue Waters, Massy Stores
Local media partners for the festival were also announced.
