The rich and diverse culture and heritage of the Virgin Islands will be showcased this week from Sunday 13th to Sunday 20th November 2016 in the Culture and Heritage Week, previously known as Culture Week in various forms across the territory.
It will be held under the theme ‘Celebrating Virgin Islands Culture and Heritage through the Arts, Literacy and Language’.
The week was first observed in October 1994, with the objective of preserving the historical and cultural fabric of the Virgin Islands and to pass it on from one generation to the next.
Here is a look at some of the events that will be marking the week.
• Official Ceremony and Opening of the Arts/ Crafts Exhibition took place at the Central Administration Complex at 4:00 p.m. During the day, activities were held at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) with a special presentation by local author and educator, Dr. Richard Georges; a Sankey Assembly at Leonora Delville Primary School (LDPS); Culture Day with tart making at Alexandrina Maduro Primary School (AMPS); and Cultural Trivia at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre (BFEC) – Secondary.
• On Tuesday, the Agapé Total Life Centre is hosting its Harvest Day, while both LDPS and the BFEC – Secondary is hosting Peas Soup and Dumb Bread Competitions.
• On Wednesday, the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies is hosting its Cultural Day, while Joyce Samuel Primary School is honoring its namesake Ms. Joyce Samuel, and LDPS is hosting cultural activities with Adina Braithwaite. Students of the Robinson O’Neal Primary School (ROMPS) are making Virgin Islands sweet treats and the Agapé Total Life Centre is visiting the Senior Citizens in Brewer’s Bay.
• On Thursday, AMPS has cultural activities, ROMPS is hosting its Cultural Extravaganza with cultural demonstrations and music by Leon and the Hot Shots. Francis Lettsome Primary School, ESHS, Althea Scatliffe Primary School and BFEC – Primary is hosting culture days. Cultural breakfasts will be held at both Jost Van Dyke Primary School and LDPS, with old time games.
• On Friday, and throughout the week, persons are encouraged to wear their Territorial wear all week and post photographs of themselves to social media using the hashtags #VICultureandHeritageWeek. Additionally, there will be a Cultural March and Food Fair, beginning 11:00 a.m. The March route begins at the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum and ends at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park, followed by the official start of the Food Fair. School activities continue that day at LDPS with storytelling by Elmore Stoutt and at BFEC – Secondary, which is hosting a Cultural Block Party.
• On Saturday, November 19, the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School is hosting a Cultural Parade, in addition to presentations by Ms. Janice Stoutt, BVI Skydancers, and the Razor Blades. Activities begin at 7:00 p.m.
• The Jost Van Dyke Primary School closes out the week with its Cultural Extravaganza on Sunday, November 20 at 3:00 p.m.