GUYANA will be hosting the 16th edition of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA XVI) from October 8 to 17, 2027, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, announced on Thursday.
He was at the time meeting with CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett and senior officials of the CARICOM Secretariat. The engagement took place at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown.
According to a post on the ministry’s Facebook page, Minister Ramson was joined by Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, alongside the ministry’s technical experts and officials from the Ministry of Education who will play key roles in the preparations.
Minister Ramson underscored the historic significance of Guyana once again hosting the region’s premier cultural festival.
“Guyana holds a unique place in the history of CARIFESTA, having hosted the inaugural festival in 1972. To welcome CARIFESTA XVI back to the ‘Land of Many Waters’ for the third time is both a tremendous privilege and an important opportunity to showcase the splendour of this unique Caribbean civilisation,” he said.
Further, he stated that “Our mission is to deliver a festival that celebrates the diversity, creativity, and shared identity of our Region, while strengthening the bonds that unite us as Caribbean people. CARIFESTA XVI will provide a platform to showcase the richness of our regional art, music, dance, theatre, and literature, alongside other forms of cultural expression, while creating opportunities for greater international cultural exchange, collaboration, and exposure for our artistes and cultural practitioners.”
According to the ministry, beyond the performances and celebrations, the goal is for CARIFESTA XVI to create a lasting legacy for Guyana and the Caribbean. Minister Ramson asserted that the festival should open doors for Guyana’s creative industries, provide greater opportunities for young Guyanese and cultural practitioners, and demonstrate to the world the depth, diversity and excellence of Caribbean talent.
“We want CARIFESTA XVI to be a celebration of where we [came] from and where Caribbean civilisation is going. It is an opportunity to connect our rich cultural heritage with the creativity, innovation and aspirations of a new generation, while strengthening the Caribbean’s presence on the global cultural stage,” he emphasised.
Minister Ramson further noted that Guyana intends to draw on the experiences and best practices of the three most recent CARIFESTA host countries, recognising that each host has contributed to the continued evolution of the festival.
Engagement with these countries will allow Guyana to build on previous successes, learn from the challenges encountered by past hosts, and strengthen preparations for an experience that is both memorable and impactful for artistes, participants and audiences across the Caribbean and beyond, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett, pledged the Secretariat’s full support for Guyana’s preparations.
“CARIFESTA is a cornerstone of Caribbean cultural expression, and the Secretariat stands ready to provide Guyana with all the expertise, guidance, and technical support necessary to ensure the successful staging of CARIFESTA XVI,” she stated adding, “Beyond logistics, each staging of CARIFESTA affirms the value of our artistes, giving them space to innovate, collaborate, and inspire. It strengthens the cultural industries that sustain livelihoods, nurtures the next generation of talent, and ensures that our stories continue to be told in our own voices.”
Further, she said, “CARIFESTA XVI will be another opportunity to remind ourselves, and to show the world, that CARICOM creativity is boundless, and that our culture is one of our greatest assets.”
According to the ministry, President Dr Irfaan Ali had formally indicated Guyana’s willingness to host the next edition of CARIFESTA during the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in July 2026.
