Several commemorative events are scheduled to take place during the week of November 23, in the lead up to Barbados’ 55th Anniversary of Independence, as well as the transition to republic status.
Minister of Science, Innovation and Smart Technology, Senator Kay McConney, announced the programme of official events during a televised press conference held yesterday evening.
She noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these activities would be “safe zone events”, meaning that there will be a limit on the number of persons allowed to physically attend the event. These will be streamed live.
The list of official activities is as follows:
- Tuesday, November 23, and Wednesday, November 24 – Parliamentary Debate on the Barbados Charter
- Thursday, November 25 – Town Hall Meeting for the Barbadian Diaspora in the United States of America
- Thursday, November 25, at 10:00 a.m. – Launch of Special Commemorative Rum by Mount Gay Distilleries, St. Lucy
- Thursday, November 25, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – ‘A Conversation with Future Barbados’ focusing on the Citizens’ Charter – Future of Work
- Friday, November 26 at 10:30 a.m. – Launch of CAIPO’s Digitisation Project
- Saturday, November 27, from 4:30 p.m. – The official opening of Golden Square, Bridgetown – (Only a maximum of 145 persons will be allowed to attend in-person)
- Sunday, November 28, beginning at 10:00 a.m. – National Service of Thanksgiving and Consecration of the new Military Colours at the Wildey Gymnasium
- Sunday, November 28, at 3:00 p.m. – National Blue Economy Flotilla starting at the Shallow Draught
- Monday, November 29, beginning at 11:00 p.m. – Ceremony to declare Barbados a Republic and mark the Inauguration of the President of Barbados at National Heroes’ Square
- Tuesday, November 30, beginning at 10:00 a.m. – The National Honours Ceremony at Golden Square, Bridgetown
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, Senator McConney encouraged all Barbadians to don their national colours “and truly celebrate the spirit of this historic time and celebrate ourselves for this major step we’re taking as a country”.