Grand event kicks off May 17

The Barbados Celtic Festival is back and organisers say that even with limited resources since COVID-19 they are still looking forward to a successful production for 2023.

While speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the festival at the popular Blakey’s Bar along Hastings, Christ Church, Barbados Celtic Festival Director Jeana Leslie told Barbados TODAY that it has been difficult but they are trying as best they can for the festival which will be held from May 17th to 21st this year.

“Since COVID-19, it has honestly been a lot harder. I think across the board funding has been slashed, and it has been a difficult couple of years, but we’re hoping over the next few years that we can access more funding. It’s definitely difficult, and it means you have been left doing things last minute, which is very stressful because you can’t prepare to get your programme out there in advance,” she said.

However, the musician added that since marketing the festival, they have managed to bring on board 150 participants including pipers, choir members and drummers.

Manager of Corporate Communications at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc Keisha Springer acknowledged that COVID-19 affected the festival but said it has still continued to see success.

“We believe that this Celtic Festival is a very invaluable event on our calendar, as it brings musicians from all over the world to engage in a beautiful enchanter of culture and music. This Celtic Festival went through a difficult stage during COVID-19… but while the pandemic has hindered previous festivals, this festival has continued to grow,” she said.

This year gracing the stages for the festival is the five-time World Champion Piper Mr Roddy MacLeod, contemporary folk stars from Scotland Gnoss, Canada’s ECMA husband and wife winners Alexis Maclassac and Calim MacKenzie.

Representing the Barbados Tourism Development Corporation was Executive Officer Jacqueline Gill, who described the Celtic Festival as a “wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich Celtic culture of Scotland, Wales and Ireland, in the form of their folk music and dance.”

She added events like the Celtic Festival are essential in promoting Barbados as a world-class destination for visitors globally. “By supporting these types of festivals, we are not only promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity, but we are also contributing to the growth of the tourism sector and generating economic opportunities for local businesses in Barbados,” she said. 

Also sitting on the sponsors panel was Mount Gay Market Manager Annie Jordan, who encouraged all Barbadians to come out to the event. 

Owner of Coconut Court Beach Hotel Linda Lampkin also voiced her support of the festival.

This year’s festival is promising to deliver exciting events, including school workshops, comers, whiskey tasting, piping, drumming workshops, hiking and recitals. 

For 2024, the Barbados Celtic Festival will be from May 16-19, and hotel partners have already agreed to offer holiday packages to visitors if they wish to come out to experience the festival.

Barbados TODAY will be bringing exciting Celtic festival coverage across its media platforms. 

(MR)  ]]>