Culture Minister discusses re-enacting BVI’s 1949 protest, restoring arts festival

Discussions are underway for a reenactment of the historic November 24, 1949 march in the British Virgin Islands.

This is according to Culture Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley who was making contributions to the 2019 Standing Finance Committee deliberations back in April.

The 1949 march was led some seven decades ago by Isaac G Fonseca, Carlton de Castro, and Theodore Faulkner who is described as the father of modern politics in the BVI.

The march has been referred to as historic because it gave way to political and constitutional growth in the territory.

At the time, the people were displeased by the local political system and made their concerns heard with a petition and by protesting through the streets of the BVI.

Following the demonstration, the territory’s Legislative Council was restored and the first general elections were held in 1950.

As for the reenactment of the historic protest, Dr Wheatley is yet to give specifications on where, when, and how it will take shape.

Arts festival

In the meantime, the Culture Minister said he also hopes to have the BVI Festival of the Arts returned.

The festival was held in 2013 and was spearheaded by the late legislator, Delores Christopher.

The festival was an opportunity to showcase and celebrate budding talent, preserve cultural traditions through visual arts, performances, culinary arts, storytelling, and entertainment.