As part of its mandate to develop relations with the Barbadian Diaspora, the Embassy of Barbados in Brazil conducted a three-day visit to Brazil’s northern state of Par??, last January 30 to February 1.

The visit was jointly organised by the Embassy, the Federal University of Par??, and the St. Mary Cathedral/Amazon Anglican Diocese under the theme: Barbados in Par??: History and Memory.

Its aim was to forge closer ties with the descendants of several Barbadian families who migrated to Par?? at the turn of the 20th Century.

The weekend programme of activities included a round table discussion on Barbados and Amaz??nia, and the presenters included Professor Dr. Maria Roseane Corr??a Pinto Lima from the History Faculty of the Federal University of Par?? and the Bishop of the Diocese of the Amazon region, Bishop Saulo Mauricio de Barros.

Professor Pinto Lima, whose 2013 doctoral thesis was titled: Barbadians, Blacks and Foreigners: Work, Racism, Identity and Memory in Bel??m from the Beginning of the 20th Century, gave a presentation on Caribbean Black Immigration to Par??.

Professor Pinto Lima has also played a key role in the establishment of a Cooperation Agreement between the Federal University of Par?? and the University of the West Indies. Bishop Mauricio de Barros spoke on his postgraduate work Barbadians and the History of Anglicanism in the Amazon.

The Embassy was represented by Ambassador Goddard and First Secretary Resa Layne. Ambassador Goddard, who gave an overview of political, economic and social developments taking place in Barbados, also fielded questions from the audience.

The programme for the visit included a welcome reception and lunch, where descendants of Barbadians were met; a round table discussion at the Federal University; and a Eucharistic service at the Cathedral of St. Mary. Of interest, St. Mary???s is the sole Anglican Church in Bel??m where many of the descendants of Barbadians have been worshipping for over 100 years.

Author: Ministry of Foreign Affairs/BGIS

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