The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s Virgin Islands Studies Institute will be hosting Virgin Islands Culture Week on 20 and 21 November, as part of Culture and Tourism Month 2024. Photo: HLSCC

Image of students dancing during HLSCC Culture and Tourism Month Activities in 2023. Photo: HLSCC

Virgin Islands Culture and Tourism Month this year showcases the unique cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands, with a focus on promoting tourism as an essential pillar of the Virgin Islands’ economy. Under the theme “Telling Your Story Through Tourism: Sharing Virgin Islands Legacies,” the month highlights the synergy between culture and tourism, emphasising their role in sustainable development within the territory.

Virgin Islands Culture Week at HLSCC promises to be an immersive experience for faculty, staff, students, and the public alike. Building on the success of the recent BVI Lit Fest, the Institute has curated two days of enriching cultural activities. On Wednesday, 20 November from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., participants can engage in hands-on heritage workshops, including straw plaiting, fish pot making, pot bread baking, and more on the lawn of the Paraquita Bay Main Campus. This session will offer an opportunity to connect deeply with Virgin Islands heritage by learning traditional craft techniques passed down through generations.

The celebrations will continue with a Cultural Fiesta on 21 November from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the HLSCC Atrium Landing. Guests can enjoy a vibrant mix of local cuisine, live fungi music, cultural displays, and a Culture Wear Fashion Show and Competition, celebrating Virgin Islands style and cultural expressions.

Administrative Assistant at the Virgin Islands Institute (VISI), Mrs. Kamyce Penn-O’Neal said, “This year’s Culture Week at HLSCC is designed to offer everyone an authentic experience of Virgin Islands culture. Through these events, we hope to inspire appreciation for the heritage and traditions that make our community unique. We invite all to come and learn about their culture, celebrate with us, and ‘share Virgin Islands legacies.’”

Assistant Director at VISI, Ms. Rochelle Smith added, “Our Institute’s mission to preserve and share Virgin Islands history, culture, and heritage aligns perfectly with this year’s Culture and Tourism Month theme. By blending hands-on activities with vibrant celebrations, we aim to create a lasting connection to the past, showing how cultural legacies continue to shape our present and future.”

HLSCC’s Virgin Islands Studies Institute plays a central role in researching, preserving, and promoting the Virgin Islands’ rich history and culture. The public is warmly invited to join the HLSCC community in this cultural journey, celebrating Virgin Islands legacies and the unique blend of culture and tourism that defines the territory. All events will be hosted on the HLSCC Paraquita Bay Main Campus.