Antiguan Delegation Strengthens Cultural Ties During Successful Exchange in Guadeloupe

 Ms. Petley O’Keiffe, Director of National Festivals, and Mr. Gilbert Laudat, Delegation Coordinator, led a successful seven-day cultural exchange, deepening the Antiguan and Barbudan delegation’s appreciation for Guadeloupe’s rich cultural heritage and way of life.

The exchange commenced with the group’s participation in the Kongo Karaib, a tradition akin to Mas J’ouvert. The younger population fully immersed themselves in vibrant festivities. On Sunday, the Antiguan flag was prominently displayed at Dimanche Gras (Fat Sunday), Guadeloupe’s equivalent of Tuesday Mas. The delegation showcased Antigua’s Carnival culture through traditional characters, dancers, and masqueraders, with rhythm support from Point Iron Band. The striking costumes and dynamic performances made a lasting impact, drawing attention from local, regional, and international media during a feature interview on the grand masquerader stage. The executive team also had a feature interview on the grand masquerader stage, which created a stir with all the other local, regional and international media present. 

On Monday, the delegation was hosted by Pointe-à-Pitre Mayor, Monsieur Harry Durinel, alongside Deputy Tania Galvani, Cultural Director George Bredent, and other officials. Mayor Durinel officially welcomed the Antiguan delegation and pledged an even larger Guadeloupean presence at Antigua Carnival 2025, surpassing the 98-member delegation from 2024. He expressed gratitude for Antigua and Barbuda’s warm hospitality, which increased interest for this year’s Carnival. Symbolic gifts were exchanged, further solidifying the growing cultural ties. The moment was shared with esteemed guests from St. Lucia and Senegal, at an intimate event held at the Pointe-à-Pitre State House, transformed into a Carnival Museum for the occasion. Attendees were treated to a front-row seat to the Burlesque Wedding, a dramatic reenactment of a traditional village wedding.  After the entire delegation journey to Saint Francois, the other side of the island to participate in a night glow mas. 

Tuesday’s events in Pointe-à-Pitre, comparable to Antigua’s Monday Mas, showcased Guadeloupe’s pulsating rhythms. The beating of drums, shack-shack, and conch shells resonated, taking you front row deep-route African experience through the streets. The Antigua Carnival Marketing Team and Antigua Barbuda Tourism Team set up an eye-catching display, culminating in a grand giveaway, a fully paid trip to Antigua for Carnival 2025. 

On Wednesday, the delegation continued its cultural immersion with a visit to Saint-François, where Yomin’m Le President Gilbert Pineau of du Carnival hosted a luncheon for the entire group. Joined by members of the Saint-François Comité du Carnival and State Media Guadeloupe 1Media, the day fostered impactful cultural exchanges through music, dance, and storytelling. This impacted the media so much that Mr. Laudat was later invited as a feature in the studio live guest during the night news segment on Guadeloupe 1Media. The grand finale of the exchange was the Burning of the Vaval, a symbolic event marking the end of the Carnival season. 

On Thursday, the delegation wrapped up their visit with media engagements at major outlets such as Groupe RCI, ARI Antilles, and BET Radio. 

Reflecting on the experience, participants described it as a true Carnival cultural shock. One member remarked, “I am still looking for the music truck because the music can’t be so sweet just from the beating of every and any kind of drums, shack-shack and conch shell.”

Director O’Keiffe stated, “A clarion call was made in Guadeloupe that the Antiguan delegation was here to share in the Carnival celebrations. The warmth and hospitality extended to us allowed for a seamless cultural exchange, despite the language barrier. She further emphasized, “While our primary goal was cultural exchange, we maximized media exposure, leveraging Guadeloupe Carnival’s reach into the UK and German markets, which we are eager to tap into.”

Mr. Gilbert Laudat expressed his satisfaction with the trip’s success, noting, “This was a remarkable exchange with no incidents, and we carried the Antiguan and Barbudan flag with pride.”

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