Saint Lucia’s presence at CARIFESTA XV served as both a cultural statement and a platform for artistic growth, as the island’s delegation delivered a well-rounded presentation that combined local traditions with contemporary flair.
Hosted in Barbados, the Caribbean Festival of Arts, CARIFESTA XV, brought creatives from across the region together for a week of performances, exhibitions, and collaboration. Saint Lucia’s contribution to the regional showcase was strategically curated to highlight the island’s unique artistic voice while giving newer creatives the opportunity to engage with a broader Caribbean audience.
“CARIFESTA is almost 50 years old. It started before I was around and it has built a reputation for showcasing the region as a cultural hub full of rich traditions, arts, and innovation,” said Drenia Frederick, creative producer at the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF).
Saint Lucia’s delegation leaned into this reputation by focusing on elements of folk culture not commonly presented in regional spaces. A blended folk band, led by Dyson Burt and Gregory Piper, featured young musicians from the Saint Lucia School of Music. Their performance fused traditional music with modern arrangements, creating a bridge between the older styles and more contemporary musical expression.
“We wanted people to see how we hold on to our traditional elements while innovating them,” Frederick explained.
“The idea was to present a scenic collage of Saint Lucia that reflects who we are. Not just historically, but also in terms of how we’re evolving artistically.”
The Helen Folk Dancers performed the quadrille to live folk-jazz accompaniment by Augustin Jab Duplesis, while the Youth in Arts and Silver Shadow Dancers groups each presented contrasting takes on masquerade. The segment was brought to a close with a high-energy, bilingual performance by singer Teddyson John, showcasing Saint Lucia’s cultural duality.
The presentation also included a performance of the Jab Jab ritual at Brown Beach, aiming to connect audiences with Saint Lucia’s ancestral heritage and spiritual traditions.
“It was important that people didn’t just see performances for entertainment. We wanted to show the ritual, the meaning, the reflection. Those parts of our culture that are rooted in ancestry,” Frederick said.
Visual elements of the presentation also referenced national festivals such as the renowned Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, Carnival, Emancipation, and Jounen Kwéyòl, signalling that Saint Lucia’s creative calendar is active year-round and deeply grounded in community experiences.
For Davianne Alexander, who attended CARIFESTA as the deputy CARICOM youth ambassador for Saint Lucia, the experience provided more than just a front-row seat to the arts. She participated in a regional youth panel and engaged in cultural dialogue around issues affecting young people across the Caribbean.
“It was truly an enlightening experience to get to raise my voice for a cause that I hold dearly to my heart — which is the loss of our culture, specifically our Creole language,” Alexander said.
“Getting to interact with individuals who had similar ideas and issues in their own country gave me a renewed zeal.”
Alexander described the emotional impact of watching her fellow Saint Lucians take the stage in front of a regional audience.
“I think it’s one thing to know we have homegrown talent, but it’s another thing to see them hold their own against other Caribbean countries. The national pride was palpable and I genuinely felt like Saint Lucia more than made a name for itself.”
She also noted that this year’s event marked a significant shift in how youth were represented and included.
“For the very first time, students were actually singled out and given their own segment — and they made the most of it,” she said.
“This investment in young, up-and-coming artists is an indication of a bright future for our young people.”
For the artists involved, CARIFESTA served as a space for professional development, networking, and inspiration.
“One of the things CARIFESTA does is give our creatives an opportunity to see what else is happening across the region,” said Frederick.
“It’s also a space for people to understand that we are part of a wider cultural movement — and that our work holds up.”
Acclaimed Saint Lucian jazz musician Richard Payne used his performance to engage in an impromptu on-stage collaboration with a fellow Caribbean trumpeter, a moment that demonstrated both versatility and regional synergy.
Visual artist Ken Lawrence exhibited and sold pieces of his work while securing new contacts to boost his professional visibility.
“For some creatives, it’s about the exposure. Seeing others in the same genre perform at a world-class level can be motivating,” Frederick added.
“For others, who may already be operating at that level, it’s about being recognised and reaffirmed on a bigger stage.”
One of the dancers from Silver Shadow participated in a workshop hosted by the internationally recognised Alvin Ailey Dance Company, gaining insights and mentorship from globally respected professionals.
CARIFESTA also created opportunities for collaboration within Saint Lucia’s own creative community. Frederick confirmed the Helen Folk Dancers had already begun discussions with Claralites Traditional Dancers from Choiseul to continue working together following their experience at the festival.
“When creatives from different communities come together and realise they can collaborate, that’s when we start to build something bigger. Something sustainable.”
Frederick noted that events like CARIFESTA reinforce the importance of positioning culture as more than just performances.
“We have a lot to offer in terms of creative industries, but also in terms of identity. Our tangible and intangible heritage has value. It tells our story and gives us something to build from.”
As Saint Lucia continues to invest in arts and culture, the takeaway from CARIFESTA XV is clear: regional representation matters. It boosts confidence, encourages innovation, and reminds creatives that their work is both relevant and valued.
“It’s about making people believe that what we produce here in Saint Lucia is not inferior,” Frederick said.
“We are unique. Our geography, our Pitons, our heritage — they all matter. And what we do culturally deserves recognition.”
In light of the strong reception and layered storytelling presented at CARIFESTA XV, Minister for Culture and Creative Industries Dr. Ernest Hilaire, speaking at a recent Pre-Cabinet Press Briefing, suggested the possibility of staging a local production of the presentation in Saint Lucia. The idea, he noted, would allow the local audience to experience the full scope of the delegation’s work and develop a deeper appreciation for the island’s cultural and creative capabilities.
“It’s important that our people also get to see and understand the level of artistry Saint Lucia is producing,” Dr. Hilaire remarked.
