The main feature of CARIFESTA is that it provides the opportunity for emerging and up and coming talent within the industry, to get an international and regional platform to showcase their talent. The most important feature of this festival is that, it represents the coming together of CARICOM to see and experience the best of the caribbean, culturally. Jamaican acts are supported and endorsed by the MCGES and the Private Sector.
CARIFESTA is an exhibition of the diverse cultures in CARICOM. It unearths new and upcoming talent in the areas of the performing arts, culinary arts, art and craft, literary arts, fashion and design in the region. It fosters sharing and generates artistic and creative ideas among artisans and festival goers, which aid in further development of the Creative Sector. Many Caribbean artiste, especially musicains have gotten their 'big break', including being subsequeently booked for international tours, after performing at Carifestas. Jamaica has not hosted the Festival since 1972, but the MCGES and Cultural Stakeholders are hoping that Jamaica will host CARIFESTA in the near future.
The host country usually must have a budget of US$ 4 million in order to host the CARIFESTA, and as such, is the main reason Jamaica has not been in a position to host.
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A Private and Public sector partnership is developed
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Over the years informal evaluations reveal that the festival provide an international platform for creatives, and as such more resources should be allocated into national budgets, in order to faciltate a larger delegation to participate in the festival.