Mr. Speaker, I rise today to report on Bermuda’s successful participation in the Fifteenth Caribbean Festival of the Arts, known as CARIFESTA XV, which took place in Barbados from 22 – 31 August 2025. 

Mr. Speaker, Bermuda brought a delegation of 18 creatives, representing our island across dance, music, visual arts, film, and literature. Our contingent joined thousands of artists from across the Caribbean and beyond in a celebration of regional culture, creativity, and unity. 

From the outset, Bermuda made its mark. Our national Gombey troupe proudly represented the island in the Parade through Bridgetown and the Opening Ceremonies, carrying the rhythm and spirit of Bermuda before an international audience. The delegation wore designs by Bermudian brand Holidae, demonstrating the talent of our fashion sector on an important stage. 

Mr. Speaker, Bermudian musicians performed with distinction. At the Soca Super Concert, Aalai and Fire Wayne performed alongside the Darien Bailey Band, who learned their original music and backed them on a massive stage constructed especially for CARIFESTA. They shared the bill with soca legends such as RPB, Biggie Irie, Lil Rick, Skinny Fabulous, and Machel Montano – a remarkable experience that underscored the quality of Bermudian artistry. 

On Bermuda Night, the spirit of CARIFESTA was truly felt when our brothers and sisters from Trinidad and Tobago opened the evening to ensure a warm reception for our performers. Kyra-Jaye, Joy T. Barnum, Aalai, Fire Wayne, and the Bermuda Gombeys lit up Golden Square Freedom Park with music and dance, carrying the Bermudian story proudly. 

Mr. Speaker, our young Bermudian talent also shone brightly. KyraJaye performed at the Richard Stoute Youth Showcase, backed by an allstar band and supported with vocals by Joy T. Barnum, demonstrating the depth of our emerging creative generation. 

Mr. Speaker, our delegation contributed to thought leadership at the highest level. Bermudian artist Gherdai Hassell participated in a distinguished panel discussion, Fragments & Futures: Collage as Radical Reclamation. The Bermuda Gombeys took part in A Conversation: AfroCaribbean Folk Culture – Beyond Preservation alongside cultural scholars Dr. John Hunte and Kieron Dwayne Sargeant. And Dr. Carika Weldon participated virtually in The Big Conversation: Ole Talk, New Frequency, Tuning the Archive. 

Our delegation also touched hearts in Barbados. The Gombeys joined with masqueraders and dancers from St. Lucia, the British Virgin Islands, Guyana, and Barbados in a mobile dance activation across the island. They performed for children at a local home, and they participated in workshops and performances that strengthened cultural bonds with our Caribbean neighbours. 

Mr. Speaker, Bermudian literature and film were also on display. Tiara Webb took part in a literary reading, judged a poetry slam, and connected with international literary agents. At the CARIFESTA Film Festival, audiences were able to view the Department of Culture’s Gombey short films, Not a Generic Gombey and Gombey Unity, directed by Carlita Lodge and Qian Dickinson, alongside Thoughts Become Things created by Stephan Johnstone and Marq Rodriguez. Bermuda’s visual artists were also featured in the festival’s exhibitions, including the Code as Canvas show. 

Mr. Speaker, Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley captured the essence of this festival in her closing address when she said: “Life must give us shelter and food and work. Those are essential. But as human beings, we need the nourishing of the soul. And whether it is through acknowledging our heritage or whether it is through reflecting on our Caribbean civilization, or whether it is through tasting the wonders that we have as Caribbean people with the influences from the world that made us unique, or whether it is in the celebration through movement, dance, music, art craft - we have to be able to nourish our souls.” 

Mr. Speaker, during my time in Barbados I had the opportunity to meet with many of our Caribbean neighbours to discuss cultural exchange and explore opportunities for collaboration. These conversations reinforced that Bermuda’s culture has a meaningful place in the wider Caribbean family, and that there is great potential for us to continue building regional partnerships. 

Mr. Speaker, I would like to formally thank Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and her team for facilitating such a remarkable festival. Their leadership and hospitality ensured that CARIFESTA XV was not only a success, but an event that will have lasting impact on our region’s artistic and cultural landscape. 

Mr. Speaker, Prime Minister Mottley also reminded us that, “CARIFESTA XV does not stand in isolation. This is about building a people, building a region, building a civilization, and reclaiming our destiny.” Bermuda was proud to stand with our Caribbean neighbours in pursuit of that shared destiny. 

Mr. Speaker, Bermuda’s participation in CARIFESTA XV exemplified the goals of cultural diplomacy: to share our island’s creativity with the world, to build relationships across the region, and to celebrate our shared Caribbean identity. Our artists stood shoulder to shoulder with the region’s finest, and their talent and professionalism made Bermuda proud. 

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the Department of Culture for coordinating Bermuda’s involvement, the Gombey Council for leading our national troupe, and most of all, our artists who carried the flag with pride. Mr. Speaker, Bermuda’s presence at CARIFESTA XV demonstrated that while we are small in size, our culture is rich, resilient, and ready to take its place on the world stage. 

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.