Premier Dr. The Honourable Natalio Wheatley, on Tuesday, delivered a statement to the House of Assembly in anticipation of the subsequent beginning of Culture and Heritage Month in the Virgin Islands.
“Madam Speaker, the month of November is upon us, and Culture and Tourism Month is here again,” said Premier Wheatley. “This year will be the fourth annual Culture and Tourism Month and is being organised under the theme, ‘Our Virgin Islands, Our Story: Tell Your Story.’”
The Premier revealed that this year he has asked Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, the Honourable Luce Hodge Smith, to spearhead the activities.
He commended the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development for their work and highlighted that during this month, “it will become quite apparent that, when it comes to tourism, our culture and heritage have a major, authentic story to tell – made up of many fascinating stories.”
The Premier also took this time to explore the calender of activities for this year’s observation.
The opening ceremony for Culture and Tourism Month, Wednesday, 1st November, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at the St. Philip’s Anglican Church ruins and heritage site.
“I encourage everyone to attend,” said Premier Wheatley. “It will tell the story of this heritage site through dramatic performances and the performing arts.”
Following the opening ceremony is the BVI Lit Fest, which includes panel discussions, lectures, readings, workshops, interviews, poets’ showcase, a children’s programme, a book brunch, and more.
“The BVI Lit Fest grows from strength to incredible strength,” said Premier Wheatley. “The topics being covered are extremely relevant to our Virgin Islands society today.”
Premier Wheatley also expressed his pleasure at seeing an increasing emphasis on cultural education during the Month.
He noted that the Department of Culture has generated a list of cultural books written by local authors for children that creatively share the Virgin Islands’ culture and heritage. These books will be donated to schools in order to connect this rich literary work with young people.
On the 8th and 15th of November, there are two virtual cultural education panel discussions entitled “Cultural Education through the Lens of the Literary Arts/Literature in the Virgin Islands” and “Cultural Education through the lens of the Culinary, Performing and Visual Arts in the Virgin Islands.” These panel discussions will feature educators from all levels.
“We will learn about the value of arts education to the youth,” said Premier Wheatley. “And the ways in which the arts can be used to immerse our children in Virgin Islands culture and heritage.”
Premier Wheatley commended three individuals, Andre “Shadow” Dawson, Rochelle Smith, and Janice Stoutt, who will be donating plait poles to the Ivan Dawson Primary School. “The Department of Culture will be collaborating with these persons to ensure that plait poles are distributed to all schools in the Virgin Islands – as yet another cultural initiative,” said Premier Wheatley.
On Saturday, 18th November, 2023, a performance in honour of the ten national heroes designated by the House of Assembly on 13th October, 2023, will take place at the Eileene Parsons Auditorium at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. The programme, titled “Remember My Name,” will feature theatre, dance, poetry, visual arts and documentary footage.
The Film Screenings and Awards Ceremony for the 284 Excellence Film Competition will be held on Sunday, 19th November, 2023, at UP’s Cinema 1. “Last year, the Film Commission did an excellent job with its film competition and I am very excited to see the results this year,” said Premier Wheatley.
The week of the 20th to the 26th is Culture Week for the schools. The Cultural Food Fair Extravaganza will be held on Friday the 24th of November at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park. This event will feature cultural foods and delights as well as literary and visual artists. The Anegada Lobster Festival will also take place from the 24th to the 26th of November.
The commemoration of the 1949 Great March and the Restoration of the Legislative Council will be observed as a public holiday on 27th November, 2023.
Culture and Tourism Month will close out with a ceremony at The Stickit in Long Look on 30th of November. “We will be looking at the Long Look Heritage Village through a fresh and different perspective,” said Premier Wheatley.
“I now close by encouraging everyone to attend and fully participate in as many of the events as possible,” said Premier Wheatley. “It is through activities and events such as the ones that have been organised for Culture and Tourism Month that we are able to deepen our appreciation and heighten our awareness and knowledge of Virgin Islands culture and heritage.”