False social media rumors claiming the cancellation of Dominica’s highly anticipated 5th annual Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl cultural festival have been formally denied by a top government official, who reaffirms the beloved event will go forward this October on a larger, more ambitious scale than ever before.
Gloria Joseph, Permanent Secretary of Dominica’s Ministry for Small Business Development, issued a clear public statement pushing back against the misleading gossip that spread across digital platforms in recent weeks. Describing the cancellation claim as the work of a malicious actor, Joseph emphasized that the event, themed “Tout Biten Domnik”, remains firmly on the 2026 calendar, running from October 19 through 22. “This could not be further from the truth,” Joseph said of the rumors, adding that this year’s iteration of Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl is “bigger, stronger and better” than any prior edition.
Far from being scrapped, the festival is preparing to welcome more participants and attendees than ever, with Joseph calling on full public participation and patronage to make the 2025 event a success. As framed by Joseph during the festival’s official launch ceremony earlier this month, Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl carries far more cultural meaning than a standard community gathering. Held in the lead-up to the globally famous World Creole Music Festival, the festival serves as a dynamic, living celebration of Dominican national identity, designed to showcase the depth and diversity of the island’s Creole heritage to both local residents and international visitors.
Aligned with the country’s broader independence theme of “Our Journey, Our Legacy, Our Future”, Joseph noted that Ti Vilaj Kwéyòl functions as a communal space to honor the island’s historical roots, celebrate the vibrant present of Dominican Creole culture, and collectively shape a shared vision for the future. This year, more than 90 local entrepreneurs across a wide range of creative, artisanal, and small business sectors will showcase their unique work and talents at the multi-day event, offering attendees an immersive look at the breadth of modern Dominican innovation rooted in centuries of cultural tradition.
Organizers have urged the public to ignore unsubstantiated social media claims and refer only to official government announcements for updated information about festival programming, venue details, and participation opportunities.