Barbados eagerly awaits the CARIFESTA delegation from St. Kitts and Nevis

Barbados is rolling out the red carpet for the vibrant and talented delegation from St. Kitts and Nevis, set to make their mark at CARIFESTA XV.

The twin-island nation is sending an 80-strong team of artists, artisans, ministry staff, and cultural officials—plus an additional 30 bright-eyed students and their chaperones—ready to immerse themselves in the Caribbean’s largest celebration of arts and culture.

Among the delegation’s rising stars is Coryn Anaya Clarke, a nine-year-old literary sensation whose accomplishments already outshine many seasoned professionals.

At just four years old, Coryn released her first children’s book—later named among the world’s most popular—and has since authored Adventures in Saint Kitts and Nevis and a Gratitude Journal and Activity Book. Through her writing, she nurtures creativity, thankfulness, and a love of reading in children across the region.

By six, she had founded the Chronicles of Coryn Book Club, which collects donated books for children and hosts Caribbean authors to discuss literature, culture, and identity. In 2023, she added another feather to her cap—launching the Chronicles of Coryn Children’s Book Festival, which will return to St. Kitts and Nevis in 2025. Featured in Forbes and on talk shows throughout the Caribbean, the U.S., and Canada, Coryn is also an in-demand motivational speaker, inspiring children to read, speak up, and chase their dreams.

Speaking about her upcoming visit to Barbados, Coryn shared her excitement: “I am really looking forward to introducing everyone to the magic of my island home [St. Kitts and Nevis]. I love learning about the Caribbean and sharing what I learn with others. I am also looking forward to shopping at the Grand Market, which is actually a giant pop-up shop with people from all over the Caribbean.”

Some members of the St Kitts and Nevis delegation.

The delegation’s Media and Marketing Lead, Leah Crag-Chaderton, sees CARIFESTA XV as a transformative opportunity.

“CARIFESTA XV comes at a pivotal moment for our creative community. For the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation, this is more than a festival—it’s a platform to showcase the full range of our artistic talent and cultural pride to the wider Caribbean and the world.

“This year, our contingent shines a spotlight on diverse disciplines—music, theatre, visual arts, dance, literature, and more—celebrating the creativity and skill of our practitioners in their respective fields. We’re most looking forward to forging new creative partnerships, expanding opportunities for our artists, and giving our youth delegates a truly transformative experience that will shape the future of our cultural industries.”

Visitors to CARIFESTA XV can expect St. Kitts and Nevis to dazzle across multiple disciplines: from the rhythmic beats of African drumming and the captivating artistry of professional stilt walking and dance, to the beauty of fashion design, crochet, theatre, film, and visual arts. Their Grand Market booth will bring a taste of the islands’ craftsmanship, while literary voices like Coryn’s will speak to the heart of Caribbean identity. (PR)