The Season of Emancipation will continue to play a significant role in preserving the island’s heritage with the twinning of celebrations during the Crop Over festival to preserve the island’s heritage.

Minister of Community Development and Culture, Steve Blackett, made this observation last Monday, while addressing a ceremony to commemorate the Day of National Significance, under the theme Thunder and Resistance. The event was held in the Oistins Bay Gardens, Christ Church.

Emphasising that the Season of Emancipation offered the entertainment, revelry and colour of the Crop Over Festival, he urged all Barbadians to reflect on the significance of the day.

Reflect on the fact that had it not been for the social unrest of 1937, Barbadians of African descent could not be where we are today." Mr. Blackett said.

Even though there was considerable loss of life as a result of the 1937 Riots, the Minister reminded the audience that the Day of Significance was in recognition of the sacrifices of working-class Barbadians, who struggled to survive under an oppressive system.

As a result of their sacrifices, Mr. Blackett said Barbadians now enjoyed the fruits of a more humane, productive, egalitarian modern society. "Let us vow to tell this story to our children and our grandchildren, for they, more than anyone else, need to be made aware of the fact that nothing worthwhile in life comes easy.?? Make them understand that painful sacrifices were made in order for them to be able to have such a comfortable lifestyle today," he maintained.

As part of the celebrations patrons were treated to poetry and spoken word presentations by Margaret Gill and Matthew Murrell, respectively.?? The drummers from Haynesville Community Group, Ife’s Moco Jumbies and the Israel Lovell Foundation, as well as the band Lion Soul, brought the curtain down on the proceedings. jwilson@barbados.gov.bb

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