Nine Mornings Committee to hold national consultation

The National Nine Mornings Committee will hold a special national consultation involving all the stakeholders from various sectors of the society for wide ranging discussion, analysis and proposals on the Nine Mornings Festival in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

The Nine Mornings Festival, a tradition unique to this country, was re-organised in 1999 into a major social, cultural and tourism product. It has become one of the biggest festivals locally as well as one of most unique and attractive Christmas celebrations in the Caribbean, gaining much regional and international attention with numerous visitors and returning nationals attending each year.

The festival which is usually launched the first Sunday in December includes: early morning festivities from December 16 to 24, community lighting with as many as 65 villages across the country involved, and a host of other activities including concerts and several caroling contests and races.

The Nine Mornings Committee will be looking at ways in which the festival can maintain its uniqueness; use of more traditional aspects of Vincentian culture; keeping the interest of locals, visitors and returning nationals; getting more sectors of the society involved; enhancing its appeal as a product for everyone and diversifying the current range of activities.

The national consultation will also be addressed by Minister of Culture René Baptiste, Cultural Officer Anthony Theobalds, Lennox Bowman of the Nine Mornings Committee and representatives from the various rural communities.

The Nine Mornings Consultation is scheduled for the Peace Memorial Hall this Saturday, October 9, from 9.00 a.m.