Some members of the local entertainment industry are voicing optimism about the future of the newly constructed CARIFESTA Village at Waterford, St Michael, which officials have confirmed will remain as a permanent space for cultural expression.
The venue served as the central hub for CARIFESTA XV, hosting artisans, concerts, fashion shows and visual art exhibitions. Now, with its permanence secured, cultural leaders believe it can become a cornerstone of Barbados’ creative economy.
President of the Barbados Film & Television Association (BFTA), Jamal Slocombe, hailed the development as “a strong step toward creating a lasting space for creativity, culture and collaboration”.
“ CARIFESTA was a proud achievement. This is a chance to carry that momentum forward and turn the Village into a lasting symbol of our cultural future,” Slocombe told the Sunday Sun.
He stressed the importance of clear planning and investment to ensure the space lives up to its potential.
“We now look forward to a clear plan for how the space will be used and supported. The talent and ideas already exist. What is needed is a roadmap that turns this potential into real opportunities for artists and the wider community,” he added.
Slocombe also suggested new features such as a permanent outdoor screen for film screenings, while urging authorities to prioritise maintenance.
“We must not allow this important cultural space to fall into neglect. Proper care and investment are essential to keep it active, welcoming, and wellused,” he said.
The call for upkeep was echoed by president of the Entertainment Association of Barbados, Rudy Maloney, who said the venue had already generated excitement among event producers.
“It’s always nice to have more options and venues, so when you look at the space, there are a number of things that I know for sure that event producers and creatives will find a use for it,” Maloney explained. “I’ve already heard some of the guys saying it’s a really nice space and they’re looking forward to having events there or seeing how they can have events there.”
Maloney noted that the existing stage and seating facilities would make the location especially attractive.
“I don’t know if all the infrastructure will remain in, but it is a real plus compared to the [National] Botanical Gardens, where you have to set up from scratch. There you can even have a seating area,” he said.
Meanwhile, president of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes (BACA), Sean “Apache” Carter, described the village as an invaluable resource for creators who previously lacked venues to showcase their talents.
“There are very few venues that have been built specifically for the creatives, so I welcome that. Not only the CARIFESTA House but the [National] Performing Arts Centre in Newton as well. I would love to see the artisans from Barbados, the culinary artists, even visual artists being able to go there and sell their stuff,” Carter said.
He suggested that CARIFESTA House should be integrated into the Crop Over season.
“When we see Bridgetown Market during Crop
Over, I think that space can be utilised for some of the artisans as well,” Carter said. “You could have a potpourri of the artisans with their craft and then some of the culinary artists that we would see usually and traditionally in NIFCA at CARIFESTA House.” ( JRN)
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