First of all the Festival Team would like to wish you all a very blessed, peaceful and prosperous 2025 and we look forward to your continued support in the coming months and years. Special thanks to Cara Lodge Hotel for their continuing support.
Georgetown Guyana is a bustling city any time of the year, but especially for its diverse communities, December and the Xmas buzz makes being in the city a wonderful experience. Besides shopping for gifts, decorations and ‘new things’ for the home, Xmas is about pepper pot and garlic pork!
My visit in November/December 2024 marked a significant step forward in the planning and collaborations for the highly anticipated Rupununi Music & Arts Festival, Festival ’25. In Georgetown there were several opportunities to meet with longstanding and potentially new supporters and sponsors, seeking their guidance and sharing innovative ideas for the upcoming festival.
During the visit, key meetings were held with Government Ministers, senior officials across various sectors, including tourism, education, sports and culture, and health and well-being in addition to meeting with supporters from the private sector. These discussions emphasized the festival’s potential as a transformative event for the country, showcasing
the richness and diversity of Amerindian cultures while fostering national pride and international interest. They all responded positively to the return of the live festival!
Since our 1st festival in 2014, we have witnessed a growth in visitor attendances, both local and global and although the Covid-pandemic impacted our ‘live’ development, our online audiences have been increasing. The demand for us to be back in Region 9 in October 2025 will be welcomed as we look forward to welcoming visitors, not only to the festival, but to enjoy the natural beauty of Lethem and the unique heritage of Region 9, encouraging eco-tourism and cultural exploration.
As thousands will know, we focus on cultural preservation and creativity and the festival will provide a platform for young people to engage with their heritage, learn new skills, and showcase their talents. The camping weekend will include workshops, music & dance performances, and exhibitions, fostering understanding and appreciation of Guyana’s Indigenous cultures while creating educational opportunities for all attendees.
By bringing together diverse groups to celebrate shared values and traditions, the festival will strengthen community bonds and promote unity across the region. Local businesses, including hotels, cafes, restaurants, and artisans, are expected to benefit significantly from the increased visitor traffic and festival activities. This influx of economic activity could have lasting positive effects on the region’s development.
The success of Festival ‘25 hinges on the support of sponsors and partners who share a vision for celebrating and preserving Guyana’s rich cultural tapestry. Without this crucial backing, producing an event of this magnitude would be challenging. As planning continues, we are reaching out to encourage stakeholders to recognise the festival’s profound value and the legacy it will leave for generations to come. Together, through collaboration and shared commitment, the festival will become a cornerstone event in Region, showcasing Guyana to the world.
See you in October but do contact us if you would like to sponsor, perform or volunteer at Festival ’25 and have an exciting year!