Most events throughout the festival are free and open to the public. However, a few special highlights require tickets, including:

• Super Concerts featuring top regional and international performers
• Alvin Ailey II Dance Company – a world-renowned performance you won’t want to miss
• “Back in Time Fete” – a nostalgic party celebrating Caribbean musical heritage

A complete list of ticketed events and the link to purchase tickets are available here. All prices are listed in Barbados Dollars (BBD).

For ticketing inquiries or to report an issue, please contact: myticketlinkz@gmail.com

Join us in Barbados for an unforgettable cultural experience as we celebrate the spirit, rhythm, and soul of the Caribbean!

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This year’s programme includes:
Four Super Concerts featuring regional icons and international artists
The CARIFESTA Film Festival and outdoor screenings
Daily Fashion Shows and Caribbean couture exhibitions
The Grand Market & Trade Hub, the largest in CARIFESTA history
A robust Youth Village with intergenerational creative programming
The Big Conversations Symposia, tackling Caribbean identity, climate, and innovation
Culinary showcases highlighting food from across the Region
Sustainability activations with a future-forward, eco-conscious approach

CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana – Thursday, 24 July 2025:   

The CARIFESTA XV Organising Committee is pleased to share the following advisory for media partners:

With Crop Over 2025 soon to wrap up in grand style, Barbados is immediately shifting into full gear to host the highly anticipated CARIFESTA XV, taking place from 22 to 31 August 2025.

The island is proud to announce that it is ready and fully equipped to welcome the Caribbean and the world for 10 unforgettable days of music, art, dance, fashion, food, film, and cultural dialogue.

“Barbados is the place to be this August for CARIFESTA XV, which will be a beautiful melting pot of Caribbean cultures, foods, fashion, performances and visual arts,” says the Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Ms. Andrea Franklin. “Now more than ever, it’s an amazing moment in our regional history to come together, honour what makes each island unique, and celebrate the vibrant threads that bind us all. This is where the best of the Caribbean will be, in one place, at one time, in Barbados.” 

A Region United in One Festival

CARIFESTA XV, under the theme “Caribbean Roots. Global Excellence,” is more than a festival; it is a roving cultural summit for the Caribbean and its diaspora.

This year’s programme includes:

• Four Super Concerts featuring regional icons and international artists
• The CARIFESTA Film Festival and outdoor screenings
• Daily Fashion Shows and Caribbean couture exhibitions
• The Grand Market & Trade Hub, the largest in CARIFESTA history
• A robust Youth Village with intergenerational creative programming
• The Big Conversations Symposia, tackling Caribbean identity, climate, and innovation
• Culinary showcases highlighting food from across the Region
• Sustainability activations with a future-forward, eco-conscious approach

Barbados will transform into a living gallery of Caribbean excellence, hosting over 25 participating countries, including delegations from Ghana, Cuba, Brazil, and Colombia, as well as creatives and audiences from the Caribbean diaspora.

Your Invitation to Experience CARIFESTA XV in Barbados

Festival goers can enjoy a seamless, vibrant, and immersive experience that blends Caribbean tradition and innovation, with top-tier accommodations, world-renowned hospitality, and year-round sunshine.

Media Kit and Accreditation 

Media partners covering CARIFESTA XV in Barbados are invited to complete the accreditation form here.

A media kit with the calendar of events can be downloaded below:

Plan your trip and explore festival events at: https://www.visitbarbados.org/

Full programme details and event updates available at: https://www.carifesta.net/

The Region’s hosting of CARIFESTA XV must reflect its theme: “Caribbean Roots. Global Excellence.”  This is the call to action from the Regional Cultural Committee (RCC) during the Thirty-First Meeting of the body held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre in Bridgetown, Barbados, from 26 – 27 July.

Representing the Government of Barbados at the opening of the RCC, Michelle Maynard, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Division of Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, explained that CARIFESTA XV aims to highlight the rich cultural heritage as a bridge between human values and economic growth while positioning the Caribbean as a leader in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

“Ultimately, CARIFESTA XV presents the opportunity to stimulate the local economy through increased tourism, job creation, and support for small businesses. This festival sees the coming together of hundreds of cultural practitioners, as well as members of the wider populace to network, perform, trade in cultural goods and services and witness a diverse offering of performances, exhibitions and interactive experiences,” stated the DPS.

In her remarks, Beverly Harry-Emmanuel, Advisor, Social Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, underscored that there is now a significant increase in regional and global awareness of the value and importance of the creative industries, and how they can contribute to sustainable development in small countries in the global South.

“These countries are recognised internationally for the excellence, richness and diversity of their cultural expressions,” stated the CARICOM Secretariat Advisor.

She added, “Directors of Culture have advocated for greater attention to and allocation of resources to the creative sector, resulting in significant changes in the enabling environment in the Region in terms of cultural policy, data collection, training, legislation and funding mechanisms at national and regional levels.”

During her remarks, Dr Hilary Brown, Programme Manager, Culture and Community Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, reflected on the birth of the Festival, which, has been held 14 times in eight countries over the past five decades.

“The Festival has had great success in terms of entertainment value and in creating a forum for sharing and exchange among the Region’s artists,” stated Dr Brown.

She also highlighted that over its 50-year history, CARIFESTA has raised public awareness of the value and importance of artists and the arts and has contributed to the process of cultural and regional integration by strengthening perceptions of Caribbean unity and identity.

Festival Director Carol Roberts (CEO, National Cultural Foundation, Barbados) underscored that CARIFESTA XV is happening during difficult times but assured the RCC that the organising committee is inspired by the resilience, determination, and creativity of Caribbean artists.

“We are not daunted,” stated the Festival Director. “CARIFESTA is the truest expression of our collective creativity, heritage and culture. It is precious, sacred and world-class. It serves as that powerful lens through which we can celebrate and examine our world and our place in it.

She emphasised that beyond the cultural performances and entertainment, CARIFESTA offers the Region the unique opportunity for Member States to reflect on current challenges and how the Region can be transformed through sustainability. 

“CARIFESTA XV is about new technologies, the pros and cons of using them…and how we can utilise these innovations to take our art and culture to the furthest reaches of the world,” stated the Festival Director.

She added, “CARIFESTA is about youth and the kind of Region that we want our young people to inherit.”

The RCC has been instrumental in shaping cultural policy at the national and regional levels by advising Ministers of Culture on the many issues on the Region’s agenda and infusing the regional culture programme with new ideas, approaches and attitudes.

Editor’s Notes:

The RCC:

Was instrumental in the development of a Regional Cultural Policy which was completed in 1994 and which still serves as a reference document and a model for cultural policies in some Member States where policies are still being developed.

Was at the forefront for the restructuring of the Caribbean Festival of Arts -CARIFESTA, which led to the development of a Strategic Plan for the Festival in 2004; the establishment of an Interim Festival Directorate in 2006 and the phased introduction of the main elements of the new CARIFESTA model that emphasizes sustainability, more professional development opportunities for artists and better promotion of the event.The advocacy of the RCC contributed to greater understanding and attention being paid by governments in the Region to the need to develop the cultural and creative industries in CARICOM.  The RCC has consistently highlighted and demonstrated the tremendous untapped potential of these industries, which are based on the creative genius and talents of the people of the Region. The RCC was also instrumental in guiding the work of the Regional Task Force on Cultural Industries that produced the Regional Strategy for the Cultural Industries in CARICOM between 2008 to 2012.

Has also been actively engaged in advising on issues of Culture, Trade and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) over the past decade. Directors of Culture have reviewed and advised on issues related to the Free Movement of Artists under the CSME, addressing the definition of “artist;” calling for a revision of the terminology “artistes and musicians” in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to “artists and cultural workers” as more inclusive terminology; and highlighting anomalies such as the fact that artists were free to move, but their tools of trade or tools of art were not free to move with them due to customs barriers.

Also provided advice during the negotiations of the Cultural Protocol III which forms part of the Economic Partnership Agreement and provided similar advice in the negotiation of the culture provisions under the CARICOM Canada Trade and Development Agreement.

Has highlighted the need for greater attention to issues such as culture in education; the need for better infrastructure to present and teach the arts in Member States; for cultural heritage preservation and development; intellectual property management; and has provided oversight of several regional projects that were implemented with funding from the European Development Fund, UNIDO, UNESCO and the Hub and Spokes Trade Project.

About CARIFESTA

CARIFESTA is an international multicultural event organised on a periodic basis by countries of the Caribbean. The last festival, CARIFESTA XV, was hosted in Trinidad and Tobago in 2019, under the theme “Connect, Share Invest.”

Read more about CARIFESTA: https://www.carifesta.net/about

“These countries are recognised internationally for the excellence, richness and diversity of their cultural expressions,” stated Ms Harry -Emmanuel.

She added “Directors of Culture have advocated for greater attention to and allocation of resources to the creative sector, resulting in significant changes in the enabling environment in the Region in terms of cultural policy, data collection, training, legislation and funding mechanisms at national and regional levels.”

The RCC has been instrumental in shaping cultural policy at the national and regional levels, by advising Ministers of Culture on the many issues on the Region’s agenda and infusing the regional culture programme with new ideas, new approaches and new attitudes.

Please read Mrs. Harry-Emmanuel’s remarks below.

Remarks by Mrs. Beverly Harry-Emmanuel

Advisor, Social Development

CARICOM Secretariat

Thirty-First Meeting of the Regional Cultural Committee (RCC)

Opening Ceremony

26 June, 2025

• Mrs. Michelle Maynard, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Division of Culture
• Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Culture
• Ms. Carol Roberts, Festival Director
• Members of the Host Country Management Committee
• Members of the Interim Festival Directorate
• Members of Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat
• Members of the Media

It is my pleasure to warmly welcome you to the Thirty-First Meeting of the Regional Cultural Committee (RCC), on behalf of the Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla Barnett.

The RCC has an important advisory role to perform, that you and officials who have served before you, have provided for over three decades to CARICOM Ministers of Culture, who meet periodically in the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD). This body has done so consistently and is well respected as one that has provided sound expert advice, since its first meeting in 1987 in Trinidad and Tobago.  

A very special welcome to the representatives of Member States who are attending the RCC for the first time. It is a pleasure to welcome you into the CARICOM family of Directors of Culture, and I hope you will find participation in the RCC a rewarding experience. A warm welcome also to members of the Interim Festival Directorate, the regional management body for CARIFESTA, who met yesterday with the Host Country Management team to provide their support and expertise in preparations for CARIFESTA.

A very special thank-you to the Government of Barbados for hosting these meetings this week, for the warm hospitality that we have received since our arrival, and the excellent arrangements put in place for the Nineteenth Meeting of the Interim Festival Directorate and the Thirty-First Meeting of the Regional Cultural Committee. 

I think it is evident that the international and regional context in which the RCC has been working has changed fundamentally since 1987 when this body first met in Trinidad and Tobago.

There is now significantly increased regional and global awareness of the value and importance of the creative industries, and the ways in which they can contribute to sustainable development in small countries in the global South. These countries are recognized internationally for excellence, richness and diversity of their cultural expressions.

Directors of Culture have advocated for greater attention to and allocation of resources to the creative sector resulting in significant changes in the enabling environment in the region in terms of cultural policy, data collection, training, legislation and funding mechanisms at national and regional levels.

It is with this awareness of the tremendous value of the creative industries to our region that the project “Creative Caribbean: An Ecosystem of ‘Play’ for Growth and Development” was designed by the CARICOM Secretariat, The University of the West Indies and UNESCO, to provide much needed support to creatives in CARICOM. Currently, targeted grant support is being disbursed to 78 creatives and cultural entrepreneurs in 15 countries in the region and the programme is also providing vital resources to develop the enabling environment for the creative sector.

This includes the development of national registries of artists; draft model legislation for Creative Industry Development Acts in Member States to protect and incentivize the sector; development of a model satellite account for data collection and management; and the development of a regional creative content hub to facilitate innovation and creativity. The RCC will receive important updates in relation to the successes of the project to date.

The Caribbean Development Bank’s Creative and Cultural Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) continues to provide valuable grant support for creative entrepreneurship in the region, for data collection, innovation and job creation. It is welcome news that the Caribbean Development Bank decided to recapitalize and continue the operations of the Creative and Cultural Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) beyond the initial investment of US$2.6 million which established the fund in 2018, and which facilitated the first cycle of funding that ended in 2023. We look forward to the Creative and Cultural Industries Innovation Fund’s (CIIF) update on this important initiative.

The matter of Reparations for Native Genocide and Enslavement continues to be placed high on the agenda of CARICOM Heads of Government and the region. We continue to pursue reparations from Europe for over 400 years of slavery and colonialism, which has resulted in the systemic underdevelopment of the region and persistent poverty in many communities.  The observance by the United Nations of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034) and the declaration by the African Union of 2025 as the year for ‘‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations” both present valuable platforms for increased advocacy and awareness of the reparations agenda that has been championed by the CARICOM Reparations Commission for 12 years since 2013.

Steps are being taken by our Heads of Government, to form a coalition with the African Union for increased joint advocacy on this important human rights movement for justice and development. Ministries with responsibility for Culture continue to have an important role to play in facilitating public education and dialogue on reparatory justice and enabling the people of the region to reclaim and value aspects of their cultural heritage which were either lost or denigrated through centuries of oppression. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I also bring to your attention the important work being undertaken by UNESCO in collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to build the resilience of the culture sector to disasters and climate change. This work is timely and vital to the preservation of national patrimony.  Mitigation and recovery strategies will also be presented for discussion and the guidance of Directors. 

 However, the priority that will consume the attention of the RCC is preparations for the Fifteenth Caribbean Festival of Arts, scheduled for 22 -31 August 2025 in Barbados.  Directors of Culture and Members of the Interim Festival Directorate will engage with the Host Country team on arrangements that are key to a successful event, from artistic concept to logistics, venues, marketing, customs, security, accreditation and accommodation. Barbados is in an advanced stage of preparations for what promises to be a diverse and exciting ten-day event. This is an important opportunity for participating countries to visit venues, scout accommodation and gain a range of information to help finalize their plans for CARIFESTA. The RCC will devote significant time to discussions with Barbados to ensure a successful and enjoyable event.

This Thirty-First Meeting of the RCC provides yet another opportunity for reflection, review and renewal to ensure that national and the regional culture agendas meet the needs of the members of the culture sector who you serve. The RCC has been instrumental in shaping cultural policy at the national and regional levels and infusing the regional culture programme with new ideas, new approaches and new perspectives.

It is a pleasure for me to be here with you, and I take this opportunity to wish us all a productive meeting.

Thank you.

Thursday, 26 June 2025 (CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown):  The stage is being set in Barbados for a spectacular hosting of CARIFESTA XV which will feature  a unique blend of dramatic and cultural performances, fashion, music, dance and art installations.

This will be the third CARIFESTA hosted by Barbados, which previously hosted the festival in 1981 and 2017.  

With under two months to go, CARICOM Directors of culture, technical officials and a team from CARICOM Secretariat are in Barbados for the Nineteenth Meeting of the Interim Festival Directorate – IFD (24-26 June) and the Thirty-First Meeting of the Regional Cultural Committee – RCC (25-27 June 2025).

The IFD is the regional management body of CARIFESTA.

The group is getting a first-hand look at the venues, which will showcase a variety of performances and cultural activities, including drama, fashion, music, culinary arts, and spectacular art displays.

The Meeting of the IFD is being co-chaired by Dr Hilary Brown, Programme Manager, Culture at the CARICOM Secretariat, and Festival Director Carol Roberts (CEO, National  Cultural Foundation, Barbados).

In her opening remarks during the IFD meeting on Wednesday, Dr Brown underscored the importance of the body, which has been meeting since 2006, to the planning of CARIFESTA. 

“This is an important step that we take every time we have CARIFESTA…  our delegations are in the host country to interact with the organising team in order to develop a cultural performance that will excite our CARIFESTA audience,” stated Dr Brown.

“The insight and guidance of the IFD are crucial to ensuring that CARIFESTA remains relevant and advantageous for all stakeholders involved,” she emphasised.

She speaks about the importance of the IFD to CARIFESTA XV below. 

CARIFESTA XV Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Cultural Foundation, Barbados, Carol Roberts, highlighted that robust discussions with the IFD are significantly beneficial to the CARIFESTA XV Organising Committee.  She explained that the committee commenced preparations in 2023 and will utilise the feedback from the IFD to enhance the plans and initiatives for CARIFESTA XV.

“This valuable insight we are utilising to ensure that Barbados as host and the Region as a whole, can deliver an unforgettable CARIFESTA – unforgettable in all the best ways,” underscored the Festival Director.

She explains how the work of the IFD impacts CARIFESTA plans below.

Additional information:

• Dr Brown further explained that the IFD was born from a proposal by artists participating in the CARIFESTA VIII (2003) advocating for a body to ensure better management and visibility of the Festival, as well as more opportunities and development for regional artists.

• The IFD is responsible for reviewing the structure of the festival and ensuring it meets the objectives of the CARIFESTA strategic plan (adopted by CARICOM Heads of Government in 2004), with a particular focus on addressing the needs of Caribbean artists.

About CARIFESTA

CARIFESTA is an international multicultural event organised on a periodic basis by countries of the Caribbean. The last festival, CARIFESTA XV, was hosted in Trinidad and Tobago in 2019, under the theme “Connect, Share Invest.”

Read more about CARIFESTA: https://www.carifesta.net/about

“Never miss an opportunity.  It’s going to be a big celebration!  Believe in yourself; believe in your talent.  We, as Caribbean people, are here to support you.  To any young person: take advantage of the CARIFESTA spotlight.  You are supposed to be here in beautiful Bridgetown, Barbados – sign up, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you,” stated the CYA.  

Listen to her describe how the festival can benefit young artists in the video below. 

Minister Munro-Knight highlighted that the CARIFESTA XV calendar reflects three (3) pillars critical to the Region’s reality.  These are “Where We Have Come From: Honouring Our Heritage,” “Where We Are: Celebrating Caribbean Excellence”, and “Where We Are Going: Building a Sustainable and Resilient Future.”

Where We Have Come From: Honouring Our Heritage

The event calendar showcases a diverse array of rich Caribbean traditions and exciting innovations, featuring the Opening Ceremony and Caribbean Street Parade, as well as the “Icon Nights” cultural legends concert. The Minister emphasised that the celebration will include activities for every Caribbean family.

Additional highlights will include the “Holy Train” – a spiritual sunrise gathering featuring dance, spoken word, and music; “Sunday Food” – a culinary experience highlighting the traditional flavours of Caribbean Sunday meals; and Heritage Exhibitions, featuring research presentations and interactive displays on Caribbean history and identity.

Where We Are: Celebrating Caribbean Excellence

The activities within this pillar will showcase the Region’s vibrancy and talent through music, fashion, culinary arts, and literature. These events will highlight how the Caribbean continues to influence and inspire the world.

Activities include Country Nights, an immersive experience showcasing the unique artistic expressions of each participating nation; the Grand Market and Trade Hub, a dynamic space featuring art, craft, fashion, and culinary showcases; and a Film Festival and New Filmmakers Bootcamp, featuring screenings of acclaimed films and emerging talent from the Caribbean.  

Visitors to Barbados during CARIFESTA XV will revel in the experience of Super Concerts, a series of concerts celebrating Caribbean musical pioneers and contemporary stars – as well as the “Pot Turn Down”, a street food festival that brings together diverse Caribbean flavours.

Where We Are Going: Building a Sustainable and Resilient Future

Minister Munro-Knight explained that this pillar will explore the resilience and adaptability of Caribbean culture in the face of global changes, including climate action, economic sustainability, and social progress.

“The discussions and events in this category will examine how we preserve and elevate Caribbean traditions while incorporating innovation and sustainability into our future,” the Minister stated. 

The highlights will include “Big Conversations”, thought-provoking discussions on Caribbean identity, resilience, climate action, and cultural diplomacy; “Sustainability by the Sea”, a day dedicated to eco-friendly initiatives, including beach clean-ups and sustainable cuisine; and the CARIFESTA Business Forum, panel discussions and workshops on cultural entrepreneurship, licensing, and creative industries.

Additional attractions are The UWI Symposium, featuring academic discussions on the intersection of culture, technology, and sustainability, as well as a Wellness Day, which will explore traditional Caribbean wellness practices and herbal remedies.

Minister Munro-Knight underscored that the roster of activities was also designed for tourists. “CARIFESTA XV is an ideal experience for visitors from outside the Region to discover our rich culture,” asserted the Minister.

 “CARIFESTA has been a cornerstone of regional unity and cultural celebration since its inception over fifty years ago. This year’s Festival takes place at a time when we in the Caribbean are facing several pressing challenges.  Climate vulnerability, economic inequality, new technologies and social intolerance have all tested our resolve and threatened our way of life, as we know it.  However, CARIFESTA remains the uniting event that reminds us of our innate resilience through our shared love of Caribbean culture,” she added.

_{Images courtesy of the National Cultural Foundation Barbados}

“Above all else, we want to be able to share with the rest of the Region and the world, who they will miss if they don’t come to CARIFESTA!”

Caribbean artists registering for CARIFESTA XV, scheduled for 22-31 August in Barbados, now have until 21 March to secure their spot in the coveted event.

CARICOM Chair and Barbados Prime Minister Hon. Mia Mottley urged artists to take advantage of the regional and international exposure on the CARIFESTA stage.

She advised, “I’ve already said that we should extend the platform. Clearly, [artists] can work through their governments…but above all else, we want to be able to share with the rest of the Region and the world, who they will miss if they don’t come to CARIFESTA!”

Listen to her comments in the video below.

She describes the event as the ultimate Caribbean experience for CARICOM nationals and visitors from the international community: “You’re going to get from fashion to food, from music to dance, to sculpture…all kinds of creative expression.”

She warned, “If yah miss it, blame yahself!”

Listen to the CARICOM Chair’s preview of the event in the video below.

“Meeting with Ambassador Comissiong was essential for aligning key priorities, including ensuring meaningful youth participation at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Summit and advancing initiatives to engage young people across Barbados. This discussion provided an opportunity to strategise projects such as the proposed CARICOM Youth Workshop and outreach campaigns aimed at enhancing youth representation and increasing public awareness of CARICOM’s mission.”

Exploring ways to strengthen youth engagement within the CARICOM agenda was the focus of discussions between CARICOM Youth Ambassador (Barbados) Ashley Lashley and Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency Ambassador Comissiong, on Tuesday, 7 January.

They discussed priority areas for youth involvement in CARICOM, including agriculture and culture.

Increasing youth participation in upcoming CARICOM events, proposed workshops for secondary schools, and various outreach programmes across Barbados also formed part of the dialogue.

“Meeting with Ambassador Comissiong was essential for aligning key priorities, including ensuring meaningful youth participation at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Summit and advancing initiatives to engage young people across Barbados. This discussion provided an opportunity to strategise on projects such as the proposed CARICOM Youth Workshop and outreach campaigns aimed at enhancing youth representation and increasing public awareness of CARICOM’s mission,” stated Ms Lashley.

2025 Priority Areas

The CARICOM Youth Ambassador highlighted her focus areas for 2025:

“For 2025, my priorities include increasing youth representation at CARICOM meetings, broadening public engagement through impactful outreach programmes, and supporting regional initiatives like the “CARICOM Ideal Citizen project”, with a particular focus on culture and agriculture. I am committed to amplifying youth voices in high-level discussions on critical regional challenges, such as sustainable development and collaborative progress,” stated Ms Lashley.

Anticipation for CARIFESTA XV

She also shared her anticipation for CARIFESTA XV, which will be hosted in Barbados from 22-31 August 2025:

“As Barbados’ Female CARICOM Youth Ambassador, I eagerly anticipate CARIFESTA XV as a powerful celebration of Caribbean culture and resilience. This Festival represents a unique opportunity to unite the Region, highlight our extraordinary creative talents, and inspire the next generation to embrace and celebrate our shared identity. CARIFESTA should serve as a meaningful platform to engage Caribbean youth in preserving and promoting our cultural heritage while fostering spiritual and psychological resilience, and one I hope will remain a central focus of the event,” urged the CYA.