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Hon Hodge-Smith urges more participation in Emancipation Celebrations

Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) has called on the people of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), to participate in Emancipation celebrations as a way to keep the true meaning of emancipation alive. Photo: Facebook
Hon Hodge-Smith said it is only through participation, the culture and traditions of the BVI can be passed onto future generations so they understand who they are as a people. Photo: Facebook
Hon Hodge-Smith said it is only through participation, the culture and traditions of the BVI can be passed onto future generations so they understand who they are as a people. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) has called on the people of the Virgin Islands (VI), to participate in Emancipation celebrations as a way to keep the true meaning of emancipation alive.

Onus is on us to preserve our culture- Hon Hodge-Smith 

Hon Hodge-Smith who was speaking during the first day of the 70th Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival Food Fair on Friday, August 2, 2024, said, “We must not ever forget our culture, we must never forget our history and it is so important for us to continuously pass it on and in order for us to pass it on we have to participate.”

She said participation has become a challenge as “we don’t get enough participants in our traditional way of life, in our culture, our heritage”.

Hon Hodge-Smith said it is only through participation, the culture and traditions of the VI can be passed onto future generations so they understand who they are as a people. 

“The onus is on all of us, whether we’re directly involved or indirectly involved, it is our responsibility to teach the younger ones what their history and culture is. No matter what the circumstances, no matter what the situation, we always have to participate,” she urged. 

Rich culture and traditions in the VI- Hon Hodge-Smith

The Junior Culture and Tourism Minister said the VI has a rich cultural and traditional history which makes the emancipation celebrations significant. 

“Yesterday, we celebrated Emancipation Day which signified 190 years since we have been celebrating our freedom, our emancipation from slavery. So it’s very important for us to recognise that this is not just a carnival…it’s not a j’ourvert for us it’s a Rise and Shine. Rise and Shine because when the news came out that we were freed, our forefathers were freed, they jumped to the streets in whatever they had on,” Hon Hodge-Smith explained. 

 

7 Responses to “Hon Hodge-Smith urges more participation in Emancipation Celebrations”

  • The Line up. (03/08/2024, 16:09) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Only the #1 Jam band in the region "Grand Masters Band" out of S K. Could get us of my our house at night..
  • Mrs Tubman (03/08/2024, 19:48) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Those fingernails are unbecoming to a lady in your profession. Nails like that are for that other profession workers,work that is illegal on paper.
    Focus on being a LADY representing these VI while you do your job. ThankYou!
    • @Mrs Tubman (03/08/2024, 22:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You want somebody drop a bucket of lard in your tub. Lighten up and leave the lady alone.
    • jake (03/08/2024, 22:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Here we have a young lady pleading for and encouraging awareness and participation in thee most important stage of growth and development in the region and of a people and all this contributer can talk about is fingernails. What a sad and narrow and low-level mentality. Disrespectful and most frightening that anyone benefiting from the acts 1834 can remain in such a deep state of mental slavery.
      Help us Lord.
  • talk is cheap (03/08/2024, 20:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That’s like saying stop the violence yet bringing in acts to perform lyrics that promote violence.

    95% of this Music Fest they call a Festival Village has nothing to do with the culture of the BVI.
  • Mrs Smith (03/08/2024, 20:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    U gaveing we jump up money
  • come now (03/08/2024, 22:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    In the 21st Century we should not be still celebrating 1834 this is retarded. We need to be celebrating freedom from colonialism. There is nothing to celebrate with the COI recomendations that are putting us back in the 1800s. When will BVI wake up. Get up and stand up I'll be right there with you but this outdated retarded overpriced music festival does not cut it for me thank you.


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