Vincentian delegation visits Venezuela

A 10 member cultural delegation returned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Sunday, May 29, after a 6-day visit to the city of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela.{{more}}

They participated in the activities for the annual commemoration of the Arrival of the Last Slave Ship in that city. The delegation (Vincentian Coalition) was made up of members of three cultural organisations and the president of the Venezuela Vincentian Friendly Association.

The members of the delegations were: Michael Browne – President of the Venezuela-Vincentian Friendship Association, Selwyn Patterson, Gilroy Williams and Wilfred Samuel – Members of the Rose Hall Cultural Development Organisation; James Mc Donald, Theophilus Hoyte and Chavez Joseph – Members of the N-DRACDO; Angella Jackson – Community Resource Officer – SVG Social Investment Fund; Sean Frederick – Dancer of Urban League and Stacy Ballantyne – Dancer from the Sandy Bay Community.

The delegation made several presentations which where well appreciated by the audience. They included: Visits and performances at three schools: Republic of Honduras High School in the parish of Union, Juan Jos̩ Flores Primary School in the Parish of Fraternity and Carlos Requena primary school in the Parish of Goaigoaza. Visits, performances and cultural exchange in drumming communities and organisations: House of Drum РSan Millan, the Community of Goaigoaza. They also made a special performance in the Municipal Theatre, and at the activity to commemorate the arrival of the last slave ship.

The delegation distributed tourism material aimed at promoting SVG carnival, eco-tourism and St. Vincent and the Grenadines as an alternative tourism destination. They also improved cultural collaboration between the Vincentian and Venezuelan peoples. The presentations were so well received that they were invited to participate in next year’s activities.

A release from delegation said “The experience was tremendous; each member of the delegation will consider this trip to be unforgettable. Mr. Mike Browne the President of the Venezuela Vincentian Friendly Association was extremely happy with all the linkages that were created, and said that this is the step in the right direction of strengthening our historical ties, in that there is Venezuelan blood flowing through our veins in that our original inhabitants came across from the Orinoco Basin (which is part of present day Venezuela), he also highlighted plans for the twinning of schools and continued cultural exchanges.”

This visit was made possible through assistance from The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, its Ambassador and Staff; The SVG Social Investment Fund; The National Lotteries Authority.

The delegation has also expressed thanks to The Director Orlando Rivas and staff of the Municipal Theatre and the Jose Antonio Sagreesta Foundation; and Ayesa Martinez for her patience, care and love that she showed throughout the visit.