With the current COVID-19 curfew lifted for one night only, Barbadians took the opportunity to gather in small numbers in the Oistins Bay Garden, Christ Church to witness the island’s transition to a parliamentary republic on Monday night.
Held in National Heroes Square, the ceremony was streamed live across numerous social platforms and shown on a massive screen with accompanying loudspeakers on the Bay Garden’s main stage.
As the clock struck midnight and Barbados officially confirmed its status as a republic with Dame Sandra Mason as inaugural president, those in attendance welcomed the historic moment with applause.
Community screens were also placed at Mahaica Playing Field, Speighstown, St Peter, the Desmond Haynes Playing Field, Holder’s Hill, St James, and St Catherine’s Playing Field, St Philip.
Fireworks displays took place at In Checker Hall, St Lucy in honour of the Father of Independence Errol Walton Barrow also a National Hero; in Bathsheba, St Joseph in honour of former premier Sir Grantlely Adams, also a National Hero; and at East Point in St Philip in honour of our new President Dame Sandra. (NM)
