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2016 Emancipation Festival planning off to slow start

- Lack of support from Public; National Democratic Party left country broke; Not enough money for event this year
This year’s Emancipation Festival is expected to run from July 22, 2016 to August 6, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
Left: Chairwoman of the Virgin Islands Festival & Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) Kishma A. Baronville. Right: Miss BVI 2015/16 Adorya R. Baly. Photo: VINO/File
Left: Chairwoman of the Virgin Islands Festival & Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) Kishma A. Baronville. Right: Miss BVI 2015/16 Adorya R. Baly. Photo: VINO/File
Critics of Education and Culture Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn (inset) said the one million dollars he wasted to build a small wall around the Elmore Stoutt High School could have been better used to support Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival. Photo: VINO/File
Critics of Education and Culture Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn (inset) said the one million dollars he wasted to build a small wall around the Elmore Stoutt High School could have been better used to support Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was our newsroom that first and accurately reported early this year that the Chairwoman of the Virgin Islands Festival & Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) Kishma A. Baronville had tendered her resignation.

However, it was alleged that after much begging by the controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Ms Baronville agreed to retract and has remained in the post of Chairwoman. She has for the past months been chairing all Festival Committee meetings.

This year’s Emancipation Festival is expected to run from July 22, 2016 to August 6, 2016, but an official schedule has not been released by Government or the Festival Committee.

Lack of funds an issue

It is believed that the committee is struggling in the planning stages due to lack of financial support from the Ministry of Education and Culture as well as the private sector, who is reluctant to give as it is also under financial stress.

There are a few troupes who are trying to stage practice sessions, however, turnout and participation have been weak and raising funds for troupes have been slow, according to one Committee Member.

While the official schedule has not been made public, it is expected that some days will be cut from the 2016 Emancipation Festival, as with the serious financial conditions of the territory, the Ministry of Education and Culture, hence the Government, can no longer afford the elaborate days of celebration.

Would there be a Miss BVI?

As for the Miss BVI Queen Show, it is reported that many young ladies have no interest in the pageant this year, as at one point there were just three young ladies vying for the title. To date one has allegedly dropped out, leaving a mere two so far, according to our newsroom's sources close to the Miss BVI Committee.

The reigning Miss BVI [2015-16] is Adorya R. Baly, who is expected to give up her crown in August once a new 2016-2017 Miss BVI is selected.

While the Festival Committee has been meeting, there appears to be no motivation or much interest in this year’s Emancipation Celebrations. The East End and Carrot Bay Committees have also been meeting and planning events, but they are uncertain of their final budgetary allocations.

Last weekend May 21, 2016 the East End/ Look Look Festival Committee had an event which was poorly supported. One Committee member told our newsroom “the event flopped.”

Wasted funds on million dollar wall?

Critics of the embattled Education and Culture Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn said the one million dollars he wasted to build a small wall around the Elmore Stoutt High School in Road Town could have been better used to support our festival and much needed items for schools throughout the British Overseas Territory.

29 Responses to “2016 Emancipation Festival planning off to slow start”

  • dity hands (24/05/2016, 11:22) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    everything mw touches gets killed
  • Typical (24/05/2016, 11:33) Like (59) Dislike (4) Reply
    BVI people are the biggest whiners and complainers in the entire WORLD! Look around the Caribbean Islands, many of which do not enjoy the life that we have and the money flowing like we have, but yet when that time of year come around in their respective Islands, they make sure they have a good time. These people come together, join in the troupes, activities and make it a fun time for all locals and visitors. Why we can't do the same? Everything must be Government? Everyone wants to sit on the sidelines in their phones and sharp clothing then complain. The BVI has 30,000 people, if all want to stay on the sides and watch the Carnival and/or festivities, then who will participate? The fowls, dogs and cats? We are heading for June and now people acting concerned about Festival. Stop using Government as a crutch and take some responsibility. The fact of the matter is that most of us don't care about Festival, it's a cash cow and a 'lime' for most people and that's it. They need to cancel the damn thing until people get serious.
    • Fed Up (24/05/2016, 11:45) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
      I so agree, they should have been raising funds to do their own thing. Smaller countries that have less people and no funds turn out such great parades and shows because they depend on themselves to have a good time, but nooooo all a dem want to wait on Government to crutch them up. strupes.
  • 23 (24/05/2016, 11:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    do it have any troupes this year need something to do
  • pat (24/05/2016, 11:52) Like (20) Dislike (5) Reply
    Ndp must go bottom line
  • Flop (24/05/2016, 12:01) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
    Festival 2016 will be a tremendous flop.
  • tretretrete (24/05/2016, 12:24) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    OFF TO SLOW START? YOU THINK? We tend to wait last min to do every damn thing in this place...I don't understand why we can't follow suit to some of the other countries in terms of their planning/fund raisers and such, why wait 2/3 months before festival to start planning, when festival is finished let's get started.
    • @hmmm (24/05/2016, 18:48) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      You have identified the problem and know the solution. Hit me up when you start to do something about it instead of bitching aimlessly. I'm down to work with you.
  • BVIslander (24/05/2016, 12:25) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    SLOW or NO start?!
    How is it that's we're supposed to have a festival and the Slogan nor the Theme has been released?! 2016 Festival is going to be the brown substance that flushes down the toilet! The economy done been strained from snap elections!
  • Yes (24/05/2016, 14:26) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    mayson ayo aint fraid dah zeka head man sue ayo?
  • off de chainz (24/05/2016, 14:30) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    St.thomas carnival does be colorful, on time, on budget and well attended.
  • No Name (24/05/2016, 15:01) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    no festival we all should get some rest.
    • Real No Name (24/05/2016, 19:56) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      No festival means no rest. It won't be a holiday and we will all be expected to go to work. They willful enough to try that. Silly goose..
  • Eagle Eye (24/05/2016, 15:28) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Want to see if the local bands will play and complain again. Dj festival lol
  • Eagle Eye (24/05/2016, 15:48) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Long Live the New Silent Majority and all of us who wants good schools for their children and god help the tax payers.
  • take a page from their book (24/05/2016, 15:59) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    THE POKER RUN IS BETTER ORGANIZED THAN THE FESTIVAL
  • Street reporter (24/05/2016, 16:54) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This stubborn minister. He is been advised to send the organization and execution of Festival out for bid and contract. He refused..if the same thing ain working year after year and failing us, A wise man will try something different.. I am certain it will be better and cheaper..
  • True (24/05/2016, 17:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is Expats allow to take part this year? Just asking!
    • .. (25/05/2016, 11:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Good question. They cant fund it on their own. Will need "outsiders" help and then BASH them later. As always
  • Street commentator (24/05/2016, 20:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A wise man will try something different, and because he (minister) doesn't obviously shows he's not the wisest. duhhh.....
  • Flipper (24/05/2016, 21:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Same doodoo every year. If they ain't learn by now to plan before the next year even turn, you really think they have a vested interested in celebrating our emancipation.
  • Tolian (24/05/2016, 22:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not a damn million spend on that wall
  • BuzzBvi (24/05/2016, 22:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not really emancipated if we just waiting on someone else dollar. Slave still. Stand up and get on with it. Be emancipated. Be free. Don't wait on someone to do it for you. That is emancipation.
  • Same Bull (25/05/2016, 00:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Same bull different day"
    • @ Same Bull (25/05/2016, 07:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      that's why the Minister of Education needs to be replace fast
  • Sadness (25/05/2016, 06:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    From the time we start paying to calibrate our so call freedom u mean the committee can't save a dime? By now this thing should be able to run it self ! The committee so b raising money ALL YEAR round . Don't wait for government to hand out and at the end pocket all every year and ever organization is the samethin in the BVI no business head and that y tola don't have nothing to do because u only hear from the different organizations once a year when there time come around and then waiting for government to hand out Sadness :(
  • my thoughts (25/05/2016, 07:26) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    I always wonder why we BVI people does celebrate our Emancipation Day as "Jumping up", "Bending over" or even "Bruking it down", and now they wonder why the "whites" think so low of us.. On Our Emancipation Day we should celebrate it elegantly and not wilding through the place like animals......I will prefer the so called million dollars wall over this "working up festival" anytime....The wall will remain there, look at it as an assets, whereas festival only last for a couple of days...Find a different strategy to celebrate Emancipation Day!!!!!!!
  • Irritated (25/05/2016, 09:14) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    this honestly irritates me. you do not need millions of dollars to put on this festival. get together, pool whatsoever monies you have, get one/two major artist for each night and put the locals and minor regional artist before the major artist. you can have a budget of 200,000 to pay all artist and be successful. you need to reason with people. wake the hell up. money dont grow on trees. you also do not see the other Caribbean islands struggling like this. what the hell is going on.


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