St. Vincent and the Grenadines is gearing up for its first Vincymas carnival since the November general election that brought the New Democratic Party to power, marking a key milestone for the island nation’s new administration. This event also holds special significance as the first press conference attended by newly appointed Minister of Culture and the Creative Industries, Kaschaka Cupid, who also holds youth and sports portfolios, since he assumed leadership of the ministry that oversees the country’s flagship cultural festival.
During Wednesday’s press conference — his first public appearance focused on carnival planning since taking office — Cupid offered public commendation to the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) board, event staff, and local law enforcement for their relentless work to deliver the festival amid tight budget limitations. He emphasized that the public often only sees the polished final event, while most of the demanding behind-the-scenes work goes unacknowledged, noting that the CDC board was even putting in overtime hours on the morning of the press conference itself.
Drawing on his prior experience in the sports sector, Cupid outlined his commitment to a hands-on, practical leadership approach for the ministry. He explained that prioritizing close, collaborative relationship-building with the CDC board was a top priority, as the body is responsible for delivering the government’s cultural policy mandates. Unlike frameworks that treat the annual carnival as just a one-off seasonal celebration, Cupid framed Vincymas as the country’s most compelling cultural attraction, positioning it as a core pillar of a broader long-term strategy that ties cultural preservation to economic development.
On the topic of event safety, Cupid echoed and endorsed earlier remarks from Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Trevor “Buju” Bailey, and publicly praised the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force for its successful oversight of preceding rural carnival events. He extended special recognition to Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair, who oversees the national security portfolio, crediting the sustained, visible police presence for the complete absence of reported violence or major infractions during rural celebrations, even when events tend to draw large, energetic crowds. Cupid noted that robust security directly builds public and visitor confidence: when attendees feel safe at festival events, they are far more likely to return for future celebrations, boosting the long-term reputation and appeal of Vincymas as a tourist and cultural destination.
Looking ahead to 2026’s iteration of the post-Lenten festival, which marks its 49th anniversary, Cupid framed the celebration as both a tribute to Vincentian cultural identity and a unifying force to bridge political and social divisions across the country. Using a familiar cricket metaphor, he warned against getting ahead of oneself by focusing too far in advance on the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration scheduled for 2027. He aligned his vision with the 2026 theme, “The Great Escape”, explaining that the festival is designed to give all Vincentians a space to decompress from everyday stress and connect with their community.
He added that Vincymas provides an unmatched platform for local creative talent: musicians, artisans, cultural practitioners and other creatives get the opportunity to showcase their skills not just to a local audience, but to regional and international guests, putting Vincentian culture on the global map. Most importantly, Cupid stressed that the festival can bring a divided nation back together at a time of ongoing political and social challenges. He urged all Vincentians to set aside differences, leaning on the shared rallying cry “We are one Vincy” to embrace a shared national and cultural identity during the celebration.
Beyond just encouraging ticket sales and event attendance, Cupid issued a heartfelt call for widespread public support for the artists and cultural workers that make Vincymas possible. He noted that performers and creators face significant pressure to deliver high-quality displays and performances year after year, and that public support goes far beyond just buying a ticket. Small acts of encouragement, kind words, and public respect for creative workers make a meaningful difference in their work, he argued, noting that as a politician, he understands firsthand the pressures of public-facing work, and that empathy and positive reinforcement drive better outcomes across every sector.
Cupid closed by reaffirming his ministry’s commitment to providing ongoing, hands-on support to the CDC throughout the 2026 Vincymas process, framing the festival as a rare shared opportunity to deliver both national unity and tangible economic benefits for communities across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.