Residents came out and supported the 2023 Traditional Torch Light Procession event on Thursday, a cultural event that has been the cornerstone of many emancipation festivals in the territory, dating back several decades.
Residents assembled at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park in the center of the capital on Thursday evening, collecting their torches and gathering behind a truck that consisted of the popular local fungi band, Zion Sounds.
The procession officially commenced just after 7:30 p.m. en route to the festival grounds and consisted of many prominent persons in the territory, including Premier and Minister of Culture, Dr the Hon. Natalio Wheatley.
Premier Wheatley spoke about the importance of continuing such traditional events and how it preserves the BVI culture.
Also shedding light on the significance of the event was Gabrielle Skelton-Bardo of the Department of Culture.
We also caught up with Executive Committee Member of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee, Marieta Flax-Headley, who was responsible for organising the event.
She said it was a success overall, but would like to see more persons coming out next year during the 70th year of the emancipation festival.
Last but certainly not least was the cultural icon Mr. Elmore Stoutt.
As a member of the Zion Sounds band, he and his bandmates took residents on a trip back down memory lane as they entertained with traditional fungi hits.
Mr. Stoutt spoke on what it means to continue the tradition of fungi music in the territory.
The 70th celebration promises to be bigger and certainly better.