HLSCC to host 2-day event series for Culture and Tourism Month
The H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) will host two days of vibrant activities on November 20 and 21 to commemorate Culture and Tourism Month, showcasing the rich heritage and traditions of the Virgin Islands.
On Wednesday, November 20, HLSCC will present Crafting Culture, a hands-on heritage workshop held on the main campus from 11 am to 1 pm. The following day, Thursday, November 21, the college will host a Cultural Fiesta featuring live fungi music, a Culture Wear Fashion Show, and a competition at the HLSCC Atrium and Landing, also from 11 am to 1 pm.
Rochelle Smith, Assistant Director at the Virgin Islands Studies Institute (VISI), highlighted how the events align with this year’s Culture and Tourism Month theme, “Telling Your Story through Tourism: Sharing Virgin Islands Legacies.”
“Our mission to preserve and share Virgin Islands history, culture, and heritage aligns perfectly with this theme. By blending hands-on activities with vibrant celebrations, we aim to show how cultural legacies shape our present and future,” Smith said.
Kamyce Penn-O’Neal, VISI’s Administrative Assistant, encouraged the community to join the celebration. “Through these events, we hope to inspire appreciation for the heritage and traditions that make our community unique. We invite everyone to come, learn, and share Virgin Islands legacies with us,” she stated.
Culture month highlights
The month-long celebration, launched by Junior Minister of Tourism Luce Hodge-Smith, aims to reflect on the Virgin Islands’ journey and explore sustainable ways to share its culture with the world.
“This month is a time to reflect on our journey, celebrate our people, and explore how we can continue to share our culture with the world through sustainable tourism,” Hodge-Smith noted.
Dr. Katherine Smith, Director of Culture, emphasised the link between culture and tourism, explaining how arts, heritage, and local customs attract visitors and strengthen community pride.
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There is no link between culture and tourism in the BVI. Lots of BVI islanders want there to be a link but it will not happen until the Tourist Board is completely staffed by non BVI islanders with 20+ years of experience in the global tourism industry for land based attractions and accommodations.
Tourism is a capitalist institution that should admire and compliment culture. Conflating the two illustrate the ineptness of governance.
Culture are the cumulations of prolonged existential practices and experiences. Some of those can or should be packaged for show casing to the tourist person.
Meanwhile, a one man electric band presentation playing a few folk songs is not an authentic example of culture.
We, our/my people develop have failed to recognize a our authentic concepts deemed culture.
Losing all inhibitions once a year is an exhibition of the internal desire to be free, and should in no way be construed as a cultural act.