Culture Department to launch book on 1949 March

The Department of Culture will be launching a book titled, ‘The 1949 Great March’—the first in a series of literature geared towards highlighting Virgin Islands’ culture and history.

The book, which will detail historical facts of the 1949 March, will be launched on Wednesday, November 24 through collaborative efforts of the Department of Culture and local authors Gabrielle Skelton-Bardo and Bernadine Walter Louis.

“The subject matter of this book covers one of the greatest defining moments in the life and story of these Virgin Islands,” said Director of Culture, Dr Katherine Smith.

“We offer the utmost congratulations to Mrs Bernadine Walters-Louis and Ms Gabrielle Skelton-Bardo. And we are doubly excited because this book is written for high school readers although we are certainly many others will be reading this book. We must work to ensure that no student graduates from high school without reading this impactful book. This is truly required reading,” she added.

Co-author of the book, Walters-Louis said learning about the history of the territory for the younger generation is important as it provides insight on the political journey of the Virgin Islands and where it is headed in the future.

Book to be used in school

Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Culture and Youth Affairs, Dr Natalio Wheatley said the book is the first in a series planned by his ministry, and said the book “will be used in our schools”.

“They [also] have books coming for the 1968 Positive Action March and the have books coming for the Heroes and the Fore-Parents’ Day,” he said.

“We are on the right track but we cannot ease up the momentum we have to continue working because, indeed, the 1949 Great March — which was the pivotal event that led to the restoration of our Legislative Council and the election of our own representatives — was the pivotal event that put us on the trajectory that we are today and we owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in the march. We want that story to be told and we want it to be told on a consistent basis,” Dr Wheatley added.

The book will be launched at the H Lavity Stoutt Community College’s Learning Resource Centre at 5 pm.