The Opening Ceremony for CARIFESTA 15 was held today in Bridgetown, Barbados.
It happened just a few hours ago and Prime Minister Mia Mottley delivered the feature address. She said the Caribbean civilization has a story to tell the world - and its display at CARIFESTA:
Mia Mottley, Prime Minister, Barbados
"In 1981, I was just about 15 years old when Carifesta was first held in this country. I understood then what it meant to me and what it excited in my imagination for what are the possibilities of this Caribbean civilization."
"I understood then that we have a story to tell to the world. And while we have been doing it in bits and pieces, we have now, especially at this time in the 21st century, when the world is facing all kinds of conflict and difficulties, when we ourselves have not met as a Caribbean community in Carifesta since the COVID pandemic, when there are problems arising, but you heard Biggie Irie just now put them behind us."
"For these 10 days, we have come together to create, to express, to work with each other. And let us always remember that the Caribbean has never waited for calm to create. We have created some of our best work in the storms."
"We have created some of our best work under tyranny and oppression. And therefore, we determined as a nation Barbados that we would work with the CARICOM Secretariat to give life once again, even in these difficult times, to the expression of creativity in the Caribbean civilization."
As you saw Belize participated in the parade of nations - albeit with a low key presentation.
CARIFESTA 15 runs from August 22 - 31 under the theme: "Caribbean Roots - Global Excellence".
