WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao will take center stage as the official Guest of Honor at the 44th edition of the Festival del Caribe, also known as the Festival of Fire, to be held from July 3 to 9, 2025, in Santiago de Cuba. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (ESKD), which is coordinating the island’s official participation. 

This prestigious invitation means that Curaçao’s cultural identity, history, and artistic expressions will be the central focus of one of the Caribbean's most important cultural festivals. The Festival del Caribe celebrates Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous arts, culture, and spirituality, and Curaçao’s selection as Guest of Honor highlights the island’s historical, cultural, and social ties with Cuba. 

Over 140 Participants to Represent Curaçao 

Curaçao’s official delegation will consist of over 140 participants, including artists, musicians, academics, dance groups, culinary experts, and cultural representatives. The delegation is coordinated by the ESKD Ministry and led by Aisha Gijsbertha-Leer (Cultural Specialist Advisor) and Lisette Jansen (Cultural Consultant Advisor). 

Rich Artistic Program Showcasing Curaçao's Heritage 

The artistic program will be headed by Richenel Ansano, cultural researcher and author, who will lead lectures and panel discussions. Visual artist Giovanni Abath will collaborate with renowned Cuban artist Alberto Lescay on a special exhibition. Chef Kris Kirindongo, representing Vital Art, will present a culinary showcase blending Curaçaoan and Cuban cuisine. 

Filmmaker Ralph Winedt will present a curated selection of short films on heritage, identity, and society, while Richailine Elisa will perform a theatrical piece. The main show, under the direction of Dennis Puriel, will feature a joint musical and visual production uniting artists from both Curaçao and Cuba. 

Music, Dance, and Workshops 

The musical group Tumao Cubacao, directed by Igor Rivas, will blend Caribbean rhythms from both islands in dynamic live performances. Additional groups include Konjemba, Dundula, Kristal, Nos Antias, and Mardie Grass, showcasing Curaçao’s diverse musical and dance traditions. Vocalist Heinrich “Richie.R” Pieter will lead performances and a singing workshop, while Sorandy Sint Jacobs will conduct workshops on crafting traditional instruments. Visual artists Alejandra Cijntje and Morgaine Parris will lead youth art workshops. 

‘Carriers of Culture’ Exhibition at ICAP 

Curaçao will also inaugurate “The House of Curaçao” at the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), featuring the exhibition “Kargadó di Kultura” ("Carriers of Culture"). This exhibition honors key figures in the development and preservation of Curaçao’s cultural heritage, including Roland “Ròi” Colastica, Rose Mary Allen, Shulaika ‘Su’ Girigorie†, Joceline Clemencia†, Shon Cola, and Ced Ride†, among others.