A Celebration of Culture Community and Preservation is set to return this October.

GUYANA, like much of the Caribbean, boasts a vibrant calendar of festivals, from carnival celebrations to heritage days, but hidden in the heart of Region Nine is an event that is doing things a bit differently. The Rupununi Music and Arts Festival, now in its 11th year, is a cultural celebration rooted not just in performance, but in purpose. With a mission to preserve indigenous culture, promote environmental sustainability, and foster community tourism, this one-of-a-kind festival is set to make its live return this October after a five-year hiatus.

First launched at the Rock View Lodge in Annai, the festival’s beginnings were humble but is backed by a passion team with bold ideas. Its co-founder, Dr. Bob Ramdhanie, recalls how a conversation with a musician sparked what would become one of Guyana’s most immersive cultural experiences.  “I was living in London at the time and managing a Guyanese musician named Keith. He mentioned he came from Rock View in Region Nine and said it would be a lovely place for a festival.” Ramdhanie added that, “I was invited to visit Rock View, which I did, and in reality, that was the birth of the festival.”

With the help of Colin Edwards, owner of Rock View Lodge, the first two festivals were held there. In 2016, the team grew into an advisory group of volunteers, including Guyanese musician, Gavin Mendonca, and together they transformed the festival from a local showcase into a full-scale experience that merges arts, education, and eco-awareness. “The festival has always been about nurturing, developing, and supporting Guyanese traditional culture, especially in Region Nine,” Ramdhanie explained. “We support the continuation and evolution of Amerindian culture,” he added.

That evolution has taken shape in many ways. One of the most impactful is the “Arts and the Environment” programme, which pairs creativity with conservation. Through this initiative, discarded items are upcycled into musical instruments, and tree-planting activities are integrated into festival programming. “We’re planting trees of three specific types: for food like breadfruit, cashew, coconuts; for medicine, vines, roots, bark; and for protection and beauty, shade and flowering trees,” said Ramdhanie. Collaborating with the University of Guyana’s botany department and the wisdom of local Amerindian communities, the festival is now laying the groundwork for a permanent cultural and environmental base in the region.

But make no mistake, the Rupununi Music and Arts Festival is not your typical cultural event. It’s an experience. Over three days, festivalgoers are treated to more than just performances. Days are spent exploring the pristine beauty of Region Nine, while evenings and nights offer workshops, music, and dancing under the stars. “You literally get two for the price of one: nature and the arts,” Ramdhanie said. “During the day, visitors can explore the region, take trips to Moco Moco Falls, visit nearby villages, go fishing; and in the afternoon and evening, we host arts and culture workshops and performances.”

Creative Director Gavin Mendonca echoed this unique blend of culture and adventure. “The Rupununi Music & Arts Festival is the most unique festival experience available in Guyana, combining arts, craft and music from around the world with a weekend of camping and community.” Mendonca added that, “During the day, festival-goers can tap into the rich offerings of the Rupununi with tours to Kumu Falls, Moco Moco Falls, or a drive through the savannah to spot anteaters, birds, and giant termite mounds!”

Workshops are a key highlight, offering everything from balata sculpting and African drumming to yoga, Zumba, and capoeira. At night, the venue transforms into a lively performance space, culminating in the now-beloved campfire jams. “We always end each night with a campfire jam where anyone can get involved,” said Mendonca. “Come to the festival with an adventurous spirit and develop new friendships through a shared human experience.”

This year’s festival will be held at Manari Ranch from October 24 to 26, and though the list of performers is still being finalised, the lineup is expected to include a mix of talent from Surama, Lethem, Georgetown, and potentially Trinidad and Grenada. Support from both local and international partners has played a vital role in relaunching the festival. Sponsors such as Banks DIH, Oasis Café, Wilderness Explorers, and Baganara Island Resort have provided backing, and a fundraising auction hosted by British High Commissioner Jane Miller and her husband Dr. Robert Miller is planned for July 17.

The Ministry of Tourism has also come on board with a small but significant grant. It’s a reflection of growing recognition of the festival’s potential to boost community tourism and provide sustainable economic opportunities. Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of volunteers keeps the vision alive. Mendonca credited several of them, including artist Nigel Butler, chocolatier Andrew Campbell, radiologist Ramona Chanderballi, and social media coordinator Brittany Singh, among others. One of the most exciting long-term plans is the formation of a Rupununi Music and Arts Festival Ensemble, a group of young musicians trained to build their own instruments, play them, and perform at the festival and beyond.

As October draws near, anticipation builds, not just for the music or the workshops, but for the sense of community, the connection to the land, and the opportunity to take part in something meaningful. For those ready to experience the magic of the Rupununi; its songs, its stories, its people, this year’s festival promises a homecoming like no other. More information and updates on the lineup will be available on the festival’s Facebook page and at www.rupununifestival.com