Harold Nurse turning on the lights at the ceremony

 

 

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Rev Joseph Atherley, believes that Barbadians must have firmly fixed in their minds, what exactly it is that they celebrate during Independence birthdays.

He voiced his opinion during an address to scores of Barbadians at the Community Independence Celebrations Secretariat’s annual lighting ceremony in Heroes Square last evening, which marked the official start of celebrations for the 40th year of Independence.

Barbadians turned out in their numbers, led by General, Sir Clifford Husbands, Acting Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, Members of Parliament and the Diplomatic Corps, along with other senior government officials, in what the Minister described as “the largest gathering ever at any lighting ceremony”.

“We celebrate in terms of our achievement the accomplishment of building a modern post-colonial society which we fondly call Barbados. But as we celebrate I would wish that we feel the anticipation which I also feel in my heart, as we contemplate the first -class future that awaits us,” said Rev Atherley.

He added that future generations would be charged with the responsibility of pushing past to the next step in the quest to make Barbados a first-world nation.

The ceremony saw areas surrounding Heroes Square being lit up after the symbolic switch was flicked by former Civil Servant, Harold Nurse, transforming the areas into brilliant shades of blue and yellow, as far as the eye could see.

Several cultural presentations followed the official lighting ceremony, the first in several events planned by government to observe Barbados’ 40th anniversary of Independence.

 

Other events include: a Grand Service of Song on November 24; a National Consultation on November 27; the reopening of the West Wing of Parliament on November 22; a Multi-National fair in Queen’s Park on November 25; the Spirit of the Nation Show on November 18; a 40th Anniversary Independence Gala at the National Stadium on November 29; the Independence Day Parade at the Garrison Savannah and presentation of the National Honours and Awards 2006, on November 30.

 

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