Carol Roberts, CEO of the National Cultural Foundation and festival director, gave an emotional address at the closing ceremony of CARIFESTA XV at the Richard Stoute Amphitheatre tonight. 

Roberts reflected on the festival’s ambitious scale, noting that over 300 events took place across 10 days, bringing together performers, delegations, and audiences from across the Caribbean and beyond. 

She praised the artistic team, volunteers, sponsors, government agencies and service providers, describing them as the “true champions” who made the festival a success.

“We were not just celebrating culture, we were advocating for peace, tolerance, and sustainable change,” Roberts said.

“There were moments when we stumbled and on those moments we steadied ourselves, found our footing and we moved forward. The region put on its good clothes and we welcomed and hosted the world,” she added.  

The closing ceremony features performances from regional and local acts, including Tarrus Riley, Steel Pulse, Yung Bredda, Peter Ram, Lil Rick, and Barbadian favourites Nikita and Mikey. 

Roberts concluded her remarks by thanking Barbados, CARICOM, and international partners before passing the baton to CARIFESTA XVI.