The sound of the conch shell signalled the beginning of the Sagicor Life Inc. Lighting Ceremony in Heroes Square, The City, yesterday.
This year’s ceremony, under the theme Celebrating Community Spirit – Inspiring Strength And Unity, saw scores of Barbadians line Broad Street and the Wharf Road to catch a glimpse of the proceedings.
And as the clock struck 7 p.m., the visually impaired Carson Small, long-time community activist, flipped the switch, to the accompaniment blowing of the conch shell and a display of fireworks, signalling the start of the island’s 51st Independence celebrations.
This year, the ceremony was shifted from November 1 to facilitate the three days of official mourning due to the death former Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands, whose state funeral took place last Friday. Tribute was also paid to long-standing national coordinator of the Community Independence Secretariat, Curtis Gibbons, who passed away suddenly on September 29.
While many Barbadians were enthralled with the celebrations and lights representing the island’s national colours of ultramarine and gold, there were those who were disappointed by what they described as a “downplay” of the usual lights and fanfare. (RA)
