Flag raising and fireworks kick off Independence Month celebrations

A FLAG RAISING and lighting ceremony on Wednesday evening, October 1, 2025 marked the start of month-long activities to celebrate this country’s 46th anniversary of political independence on October, 27, 2025.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister, Dr.

Ralph Gonsalves said as St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) continues its journey towards building a “first world standard of living” it has already made remarkable strides.

“…but those strides have been upon the foundations our forebears have laid for us,” the Prime Minister acknowledged.

The flag raising and lighting ceremony organised by the National Independence Committee was held on the compound of the Financial Complex in Kingstown, and Dr.

Gonsalves reflected on the country’s historical struggles, its achievements since independence, and the challenges that lie ahead.

Addressing the gathering, he said as a people, St Vincent and the Grenadines has had a long struggle towards independence, and we have forged a unity with people who have come from far and wide and co-mingled with the native peoples who had originally arrived here 5000 years or so ago from the Orinoco Basin.

“We have had persons who have come here as free men and women, others have come as enslaved African bodies, still others were brought as indentured servants from Europe and from Asia, and through the fever of history, we have arrived at a position where we are a veritable symphony, as I often say.

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