I KNOW THE PRIME MINISTER is adamant about spending $7 million on the independence celebrations, despite all the crises we’re facing, but many Barbadians still question the need to spend so much especially if it’s spent on galas and fireworks.
Shouldn’t the extensive Crop Over season with all its events have provided enough of this type of entertainment? Wouldn’t we be better off with something solid, long lasting and a lot less costly?
Will we see a breakdown of the money spent? Like how much was spent on the secretariat itself?
If we look at the secretariat’s calendar of events, we see that some events are organised by the secretariat, some by the National Cultural Foundation, Ministry of Drainage and other Government agencies. Are all these a part of the $7 million, or only those organised by the secretariat?
We also note that NGOs, and to a lesser extent the private sector, are taking a big part in the events. And so it should be. What would have been good was if the government had assisted with more community celebrations and activities like beautification and recycling programmes. Perhaps it might have considered a few scholarships.
The NATION newspaper must be commended on their publication 50: The Barbados Legacy commemorative magazine which should provide a wonderful keepsake to be handed down to the next generation and also for members of the diaspora. Their coverage of highlights from newspapers in past years also makes for very interesting and enjoyable reading. Nostalgic for the older generation and educational for the younger.
Bim magazine has also dedicated its latest Volume 8 to Barbados’ 50th anniversary of Independence.
Included are pieces like Sovereignty as Barbados Turns 50, Health and 50 years of Freedom in Barbados, and A Memory of Sixty Six.
CBC has aired wonderful programmes highlighting various parishes and their attractions. Included is one on the parish of St john with an interview with the rector of St John’s church who provided some interesting historical information on the church. Hopefully we’ll see the other parishes highlighted in subsequent programmes.
VOB 92.9 has been airing a daily programme called Lyrically Local where the icons of local entertainment are invited to relate their memories of yesteryear. Callers are generally thrilled with the programme, call in their compliments and add their “two cents worth”.
It was disturbing though, to hear one caller say that there was too much nostalgia in the programme: that we had passed those days where musicians played for the fun of it or perhaps for dinner, rather than a fee. He noted that “things are different now.” I trust he won’t be heard in the future harking back to slavery which was much further in the past, and that he will remember that “ things are different now”.
The monument to be erected on the spot of the first flag-raising at the Garrison in 1966 is a wonderful idea and congratulations must go to the young designer Taisha Carrington. We look forward to its unveiling by the Prime Minister on November 30.
Then there was the sculptor we saw on TV8 some time ago with his limestone carving of the 50th anniversary emblem; and in the newspaper the map of Barbados produced by an artist, now deceased.
What really touched me was a newspaper story about a Mrs Knight from St Joseph who opened her home to the public so that they could see all the traditional Bajan items of yesteryear. She also dressed in national colours and celebrated with her grandchildren.
The Barbados song contributed by John Roett and performed by a combination of local artistes should also provide a lasting memory . Similarly, the variety of nationalistic calypsos performed in this Crop Over season.
The moving of the symbolic Broken Trident across the country is another fitting and memorable activity.
But I still think that under the circumstances $7 million is too much to spend on the celebration. It would have been better spent towards finding a permanent solution to the water problems, especially in St Joseph. I’m sure that would be more lasting in those people’s memories than any galas or fireworks. It would’ve been another milestone in our history – the day St Joseph came back into the 21st century.
• Dr Frances Chandler is a former Independent senator. Email: [email protected]
