PANAMA CITY, PANAMA, September 10, 2026 – Under the Government of Barbados’ “On the Road to 60: Gathering as One Nation” and “60 and 5” campaigns, the Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. proudly hosted the Pinelands Creative Workshop for a special cultural exchange in Colón, Panama.
The national campaigns commemorating the country’s 60th anniversary of Independence and fifth year as a Republic celebrate the island’s rich cultural heritage, identity and the connections that unite Barbadians at home and abroad. In this spirit, Barbados and Panama celebrated their shared Afro-Caribbean heritage and longstanding cultural ties through a full-day programme on August 24, 2026, at the Center of Art and Culture of Colón (CACCO) on Panama’s Caribbean coast.
The programme brought together more than 20 members of thePinelands Creative Workshop (PCW) and 30 members of CACCO’s cultural and training programmes for a day of music, dance, heritage and artistic exchange. The initiative formed part of the cultural cooperation between Barbados and Panama, highlighting the shared history and Afro-Caribbean connections between both nations, while creating an opportunity to celebrate and exchange cultural traditions through the arts.
The morning kicked off with a 45-minute presentation by the Pinelands Creative Workshop entitled, “This is Who we are – This is What we do”, which highlighted traditional Barbadian heritage through music, dance and storytelling. PCW performers took the audience comprising representatives from the Ministry of Culture, the Mayor’s Office of Colón, CACCO, and more than 300 schoolchildren from across the city on a historical and heritage journey, displaying the island’s unique cultural identity through traditional African rhythms, a vibrant Tuk band, folk sequences, the Barbados Landship, and calypso dance. Members of the young audience got on their feet and took the stage as the Barbadian characters, Mother Sally and the Shaggy Bear appeared.
Opening the event, Ambassador of Barbados to the Republic of Panama, H.E. Amanda Martinez reflected, “Barbados and Panama share a deep and meaningful connection rooted in our Afro-Caribbean heritage, history and the generations of people who have helped shape both nations. It is a privilege to see those connections come to life through music, dance and cultural exchange. We are grateful to our partners in Colón and within the Ministry of Culture for welcoming us and for creating a space where our communities can learn from one another and strengthen the bonds between Barbados and Panama.”
In the afternoon, the exchange continued in a workshop format, with the Barbadian delegation leading an interactive session for students from CACCO’s folk dance, Congo drum music and even ballet training programmes. The Panamanian students had the opportunity to learn and perform traditional dances and experience the different percussion instruments, creating a hands-on exchange that brought the cultural traditions of both countries together. The exchange culminated with the Panamanian students and instructors guiding the PCW cohort through the traditional Congo dance and Congo Pollera, a folk performance style and dress unique to Panama’s Afro-descendant population.
“Cultural exchanges such as this are a powerful way to celebrate the shared heritage that connects Barbados and Panama while creating meaningful opportunities for our communities to learn from one another. As Barbados marks 60 years of Independence, it is especially meaningful to celebrate the traditions, culture and identity that have shaped our nation while strengthening the connections we share across the Caribbean and Latin America. We are proud to support initiatives that showcase the depth of Barbadian culture and create new opportunities for cultural exchange across the region,” said Corey Garrett, Director, Latin America, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
Founded in 1978, the Pinelands Creative Workshop is a Barbadian cultural and community development organisationdedicated to preserving and promoting Afro-Caribbean folk traditions through music, dance and the performing arts. Over more than four decades, PCW has expanded its work to encompass cultural preservation, community development, education and economic empowerment, while showcasing Barbadian heritage on local, regional and international stages.
Ambassador of Barbados, H.E. Amanda Martinez was delighted to welcome the Pinelands Creative Workshop to Panama upon arrival by hosting a dinner for the delegation at the Official Residence with Embassy and BTMI staff on Thursday, August 20. During the informal dinner, the Barbadian team introduced the PCW to the diverse work of Barbados’ diplomatic mission in Latin America including its cultural diplomacy initiatives, which help to advance bilateral relations and promote the island’s tourism product.
Executive Director of the Pinelands Creative Workshop, Sophia Greaves reflected, “Through this exchange at CACCO, we did not just share rhythms and steps—we affirmed the shared roots and intrinsic value of our Afro-Caribbean identities. As Pinelands Creative Workshop prepares to celebrate almost five decades of community development and cultural preservation, we are thrilled to mark this milestone year and deeply grateful to the Embassy of Barbados in Panama for hosting us so warmly. When young people stand side by side, learning each other’s heritage through Tuk, Congo drums, and folk dance, it creates a profound sense of pride, dignity, and mutual respect. This experience in Colón powerfully reaffirmed how honouring our traditions restores agency and deepens cultural appreciation across borders.”
The PCW performance and exchange in Colón highlighted the deep cultural connections shared by Barbados and Panama, particularly through their Afro-descendant heritage. The event marked the PCW’s first visit to Panama and the Embassy of Barbados’ second cultural programmeme in Colón following the visit of the Haynesville Youth Club in September 2025 for “We Gatherin’”.
