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‘Our festival celebrations have been reduced to just a jump up’- Dr Wheatley

- said as long as he is Minister struggles of ancestors will be acknowledged
The Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival celebrations over the years have been slammed for losing the significance of the celebrations and becoming too unrefined. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival celebrations continue today, August 2, 2020, with a virtual gospel explosion commencing at 7:00pm. Photo: Facebook
The Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival celebrations continue today, August 2, 2020, with a virtual gospel explosion commencing at 7:00pm. Photo: Facebook
VI- Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says he has taken offence by some persons suggesting that the 2020 Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival should be cancelled because there would not be too much of revelry. Photo: YouTube
VI- Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says he has taken offence by some persons suggesting that the 2020 Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival should be cancelled because there would not be too much of revelry. Photo: YouTube
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says he has taken offence by some persons suggesting that the 2020 Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival should be cancelled because there would not be too much of revelry.

‘Offended’

The VI’s 66th Emancipation Festival commenced on July 31, 2020, and most of the activities are being done virtually due to COVID-19 control and suppression measures.

“There are some persons out there, Mr Speaker, who are saying if we not going to have the jump up let’s cancel. If we not going to have the whine up let’s forget the whole thing. I am actually offended by those views,” Dr Wheatley said during the 13th Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on July 28, 2020.

The festival celebrations over the years have been slammed for losing the significance of the celebrations and becoming too unrefined.

 “I am offended on behalf of my ancestors, because our festival celebrations have been reduced to just a jump up, a prance up, a have a good time, a make some money.”

‘Struggles of ancestors will be acknowledged’

According to Dr Wheatley, he does mind persons making money or having a good time for festival, “but if anything we going to do while I am Minister, and I have one (festival) under my belt where I was able to see what went wrong and what went right, and I can tell you I am not going to leave it to chance.

“As long as I sit in the seat as Minister you could bet your bottom dollar we are going to acknowledge the struggles of our ancestors. You can count on that,” Dr Wheatley said.

The celebrations continue today, August 2, 2020, with a virtual gospel explosion commencing at 7:00pm.

This year’s festivities will be held under the theme: 'Be fully free- Emancipate yourself from mental slavery as we celebrate our Virgin Islands history'.

17 Responses to “‘Our festival celebrations have been reduced to just a jump up’- Dr Wheatley”

  • Midnight Curfew (02/08/2020, 12:33) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Be fully free- Emancipate yourself from mental slavery as we celebrate our Virgin Islands history'....The irony is thick in this one! Lol
    • Hrmph (03/08/2020, 06:44) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      BVI festival is a poor imitation of carnival in other parts of the Caribbean. I am not sure that many will miss the scores of women air humping in the streets this year. It is a gaudy tawdry event and I am glad it has been cancelled.
  • WHAT!!!! (02/08/2020, 12:38) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    You mean no display of dry humping this year?
  • guy hill (02/08/2020, 14:37) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree with the Minister on the festival bring reduced to a jump up to a point, BUT What does emancipation means to you the people of the Virgin Islands and those came to live amongst us? If you note, most if not all caribbean countties celebrate th he same freedom on the same day. And they are very well represented in the Virgin Islands today and from before I was born. We need to put back the little bundles of Love that are missing. Missing for too long. Get it together people. Now is the time and the time is now. Love that neighbor like self.
  • Oh Well (02/08/2020, 15:29) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    No public *grinding* in the streets this year
    • AhGlad (02/08/2020, 17:01) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
      Thank You Jesus. It took Covid to give the Vi Festival,August Monday back to its rightful and respectful of BVI Culture owners .
      Thank You Covid.
  • rattie (02/08/2020, 15:42) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    The man is so right
  • Grow some balls (02/08/2020, 16:57) Like (3) Dislike (16) Reply
    Mehson i want to wukup
  • Scared (02/08/2020, 18:05) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Suppose corona was here i wouldn't love to see how y'all would act. Tun loose the jouvert let the people get a ease from all this unnecessary lockdown.
  • Lb (02/08/2020, 18:20) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Well imagine how offended he will be next election!
  • BVI Culture (02/08/2020, 18:52) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Minister for Education, Culture . . . , well-said. BVI Emancipation Festival is much more than a jump-up and money-making grab-all-you-can-get event. It is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the freedom that BVI Culture affords all of us, to live in harmony with all who call the BVI their home. BVI Culture is wholesome and welcoming. Let us all take some time to reflect on and to enjoy why we remained here, and why some immigrated to live here. Don't take our meekness for weakness, but enjoy our friendship for the peace that it affords.
  • Eyes on it! (02/08/2020, 23:45) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    The Word of God condemns revelry etc. And you people continue to honor these things. What will the Lord do with you secular people?
  • Proud of you, Hon. Wheatley (03/08/2020, 05:01) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    I am proud that Hon. Wheatley has been brave enough to stand up to the masses to do what is right; after all, our festival celebrations should be focused on our emancipation not on wukking-up ourselves in the streets and debaucherous behaviour. I think it's about time our Government act like they have some kind of sense and educate and shepherd the people in the Virgin Islands to place more emphasis on the reason they have the freedom they have today to live the lives they lead than embracing and even joining in the overly vulgar and distasteful behaviour of the masses. Yes, I agree that dancing and partying is a celebratory act, however, most take it to the extreme, where they're basically in the nude and grinding on each other in such pornographic ways as if they have no pride in themselves or care if children see them. What's sad is, if a survey was to be conducted during the festivities to ask persons certain BASIC questions about the territory's emancipation, not many would know. I am happy that Hon. Wheatley has taken the stand that he has to educate the people of the territory about our history as it may give rise to a more patriotic people.
  • shabazz (03/08/2020, 08:46) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    "one term"
  • down2earth (05/08/2020, 17:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    "I am offended ..." You miss 'wuk up'
    Persons running for office need to know and understand our history. Too often they chat nonsense!

    COVID-19 caused a good thing to happen? Prisoners are generally the best people on earth ... until they get out!


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