Corporate Barbados is being encouraged to see the recently launched Season of Emancipation as another opportunity to support community-based initiatives and programmes that highlight Barbados’ cultural heritage, and promote unity and diversity.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, said while there are companies that commit to supporting the island’s major cultural festivals, she would like to see that reach extended to other activities on the Season of Emancipation calendar.
“We want to encourage corporate Barbados to partner with us in taking the Season of Emancipation to the height of significance in our nation that it ought to be,” said Senator Munro-Knight.
She stressed that this year’s theme – Reimagining the Past. Celebrating the Future – calls on all Barbadians to “acknowledge and learn from the past, identify opportunities for change, and take positive action to create a better future”.
She added that in this context, support from corporate Barbados can significantly enhance the impact and reach that the Division of Culture is seeking to create across the nation.
“We would also like companies to create their own activities around the Season. Perhaps stage an in-house exhibition of local fashion and art, where we see the journey from our past into an exciting future that is being created by this generation. Or they may plan a cultural display of in-house poetic, musical and dramatic talent, and feature local up-and-coming artistes; anything that lends to creating a yearning and excitement for our people to connect to our rich, cultural heritage”, said Dr. Munro-Knight.
Encouraging all Barbadians to embrace their legacy and celebrate who they are as a people, the Minister maintained that Barbadians need to be the ones to tell their stories.
She called on the public to support the events and activities planned for the Season, which officially begins on April 14, with the Anniversary of the Bussa Rebellion and runs until August 27, with the Jackie Opel Day Commemoration and Music Symposium.
Other calendar events include National Heroes Day on April 28; Africa Day Hair & Dress Online Competition and Story Hour ‘Under the Casuarina Tree’ on May 25; Celebration of Cuffee, Speightstown on June 12; Day of National Significance Folk Concert on July 26; Eve of Emancipation Thanksgiving Services on July 31; Emancipation Day Procession on August 1; Marcus Garvey Day Entrepreneurial Challenge on August 17, and UN International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition Lecture and Movie Night on August 23.
Division of Culture, Prime Minister’s Office