Youngsters told to become BVI’s ‘cultural bearers’ as territory hosts Food Fair

Minister for Culture Dr Natalio Wheatley has pleaded to the younger generation of the BVI to become more involved in the preservation of the territory’s culture.

He made that call at the opening of the annual Cultural Food Fair held at the Cyril B Romney Tortola Pier Park on Friday, August 7.

The event attracted some 20 food, and arts & craft vendors.

“I want to celebrate all of those persons who are working to keep our culture alive. We cannot celebrate our emancipation or any other celebration that we have without our Virgin Islands food. This is the food that sustained us through very difficult times, very difficult years in the past when we didn’t have all the money that we have now,” Dr Wheatley said.

He continued: “That cornmeal and that flour, the same Johnnycake, water and flour, and the peas soup to sustain us through the difficult times in the past even though we didn’t have money.”

Never forget history 

The Culture Minister then urged residents to never forget their history.

“This is what has brought us to where we are today and when persons travel through the world, our visitors want to be able to experience a little bit of what is unique about the Virgin Islands. I would like to see more persons, young people step forward and be the culture and history-bearers here in the Virgin Islands,” he stated.

In addition to the food and art, spectators were entertained by a few groups of young persons performing in drama and dance.

The event is part of this year’s emancipation celebration.