Ministry of Culture announces activities to celebrate National Heritage Month

The Ministry of Culture will be staging a series of activities during the month of March to celebrate National Heritage Month.{{more}}

The theme for this year’s programme is: “Appreciating Our Identity: Preserving Our Heritage with Pride”.

Minister of Culture Frederick Stephenson at a press conference on Tuesday, March 1, to launch the activities, said his Ministry will be making efforts to engage the general public in reflecting on nation building during this period.

Stephenson said the Ministry of Culture will be using the Heritage Month activities to further engender a sense of national pride among Vincentians; to reflect on the country’s heritage, particularly that relating to the Garifuna; to pay tribute to persons, both at community and the national levels, whose contributions (present and past) have helped to improve the lives of Vincentians; and to encourage Vincentians to remember significant events of Vincentian history that took place during the month of March.

He used the opportunity to identify some significant historical events held during this month. Reference were made to Departure Day from Balliceaux to exile on March 3, 1797, International Women’s Day on March 8, National Heroes Day – March 14, and March 14, 1991, the day that Ebenezer Theodore Joshua died.

Stephenson announced that activities to mark Heritage Month include: Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Celebration, Friday, March 4; International Women’s Day, March 8; the Garifuna Heritage Foundation Exhibition, March 8-March 10; Diamondites Cultural Wake and Sports Awards, Saturday, March 12; Hot Vibes, Heritage Sports, and Xtravaganza, Sunday, March 13; Heroes Day: Obelisk Ceremony, Fancy Festival,Greiggs Community Gathering and Environmental Song Contest, Monday, March 14; Primary School Performing Arts Festival Day 1 and Day 2, March 16-17; Heroes Walk; March 16; SVG Cycling Heritage Cycle Classic, and Naked Roots Drum Circle at the Kingstown Market, Sunday, March 20; E.T.Joshua Remembrance and Panel Discussion, Monday, March 21; visit to the schools’ heritage clubs, March 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30, and 31; and Heritage Cultural Fiesta at Rose Hall, Saturday, March 26.