BVI Emancipation Festival officially opens
Culture minister Myron Walwyn (left) along with Acting Premier Dr Kedrick Pickering (right) and local pageant winners cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the 2018 emancipation festivities.
The emancipation celebrations in the British Virgin Islands has been officially declared open.
The ceremonial ribbon cutting and cultural food fair took place at the back of the Central Administration Complex today Friday, August 3.
The cultural food fair featured local foods, music, dances and poetry.
This year will mark the 64th emancipation celebration. It is being held under the theme: Revisiting and revitalizing our culture, while this year’s slogan is Restore and revive our cultural scene, BVI Strong for Festival 2018.
Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn said this year, more than any other, the festival theme serves as a focal point which informs and guides how the festival activities will be celebrated.
“As I shared before in the aftermath of all that has transpired while we were in the throes of redevelopment this is the perfect opportunity to restore our culture and demonstrate what emancipation really means to us,” he said.
“In the midst of adversity, we have taken the opportunity to revisit and revitalize those cultural practices and norms that help to strengthen our Virgin Islands.”
Walwyn urged persons to use the opportunity to also embrace the legacy of their forefathers and make a deliberate effort to produce a festival that speaks to our spirituality and cultural heritage.
Acting Premier Dr Kedrick Pickering, in the meantime, urged residents to remember the real reason for the celebrations, which is the BVI’s liberation from slavery.
He called on all to exercise caution during the various activities scheduled to take place in the coming days.
The festival village was blessed last night with the annual Gospel Fest. The real celebration is expected to begin Friday night.
Due to the lingering impacts of the 2017 hurricanes this year’s festivities have been significantly scaled back.
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WISH I COULD BE THERE TO EAT THE GREAT FOOD.mAYBE NEXT YEAR.
Orlando Smith is gone and no info where he went. The truth is there is a big sale at the outlet malls in Orlando. Hmmmm.. what a coincidence. Can you imagine the US President or the Queen of England disappearing for Independence Day. Seriously this is grounds for impeachment
Wallwind on one end and the cuban on the next
When will we see the headlines ‘All schools repaired and ready for use? Those who should seek to help our children learn are the ones putting them in poor learning situations. Just trying to tout themselves. Shame, shame.
BVIs may be free of slavery as it once was but it does not seem to shy from treating outside labor, without which it could not exist let alone recover, like 2nd class citizens. Think about it before you flame away
Congrats to Luce Hodge-Smith and team Claudette Francis-Smith for an event well put together with the little she had……Kudos to you all