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‘Perish the thought of cancelling EE/LL Festival’- Hons Pickering & Penn

- Andrew A. ‘Charlie’ Turnbull Festiville officially opens
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn and Miss Junior BVI Joi-Ann Nikia Thomas cut the ribbon to declare the Andrew A. 'Charlie' Turnbull Festiville in East End open on August 2, 2016. Mr Turnbull (centre) is also in photo. Photo: Elton Callwood
East End Festival Honouree Andrew A. 'Charlie' Turnbull. Photo: Elton Callwood
East End Festival Honouree Andrew A. 'Charlie' Turnbull. Photo: Elton Callwood
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) said it is unthinkable that the East End Festival could ever be cut out. Photo: VINO
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) said it is unthinkable that the East End Festival could ever be cut out. Photo: VINO
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn said it was the first time he was hearing that there were plans to cut out the East End Festival. Photo: VINO
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn said it was the first time he was hearing that there were plans to cut out the East End Festival. Photo: VINO
Part of the crowd at the opening of the East End Festival. Photo: VINO
Part of the crowd at the opening of the East End Festival. Photo: VINO
I-Octane was one of the lead performers for the opening of Andrew A. 'Charlie Turnbull Festiville on August 2, 2016. Photo: VINO
I-Octane was one of the lead performers for the opening of Andrew A. 'Charlie Turnbull Festiville on August 2, 2016. Photo: VINO
Jamaican artist Jah Vinci performs at Andrew A. 'Charlie' Turnbull Festiville. Photo: VINO
Jamaican artist Jah Vinci performs at Andrew A. 'Charlie' Turnbull Festiville. Photo: VINO
EAST END, Tortola, VI – Talks have been rife about discontinuing the emancipation celebrations at the Eastern End of Tortola but District Representatives, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Andrew A. ‘Charlie’ Turnbull Festiville last night August 2, 2016, made it absolutely clear that will never happen.

Seventh and Eighth District Representatives, Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering, who is also the Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and Honourable Marlon A. Penn, the Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion, as well as Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn all had a bit to say in dispelling the reports.

'Perish the thought'

Honourable Pickering, who most emphatically struck out the side talks of ending East End/Long Look Festival, said “Those who dare even joke about the idea of not having a festival in East End/Long Look must perish the thought. Just let me say that clearly, perish the thought because this being the first free slave plantation in the western world it is almost absurd that anybody could think about abolishing the celebrations that has been going on for years.”

'Wipe your mind of those thoughts'

Hon Penn said it is important for persons to place in context the purpose for the celebration in the eastern communities. “It’s not just about us having a party…. But it is about us celebrating a legacy, celebrating a people who fought for their freedom, fought for their independence and an independence that we celebrate until this day.”

He noted the hard work the sub-committee puts in amidst heavy criticisms. “I know the grumblings are happening and I want to make it clear that once I am a part of this community, if I am a representative or not, we will remain active and remain vibrant that there is a festival in East End/Long Look community. So those who have those thoughts I beg you to wipe your mind of those thoughts very early.”

Hon Penn challenged other members of the community to come out and get involved in helping to build the festivities to the extent that it can be one of the biggest in the Region.

It is not clear where those reports about possibly cancelling the East End Festival have emanated, However, Hon Walwyn said last night was the first time he was hearing of such talks and in a few words said, “who saying they need to, stop it right away because that will not happen.”

Challenges

Chairperson of the BVI Festival and Fairs Committee Ms Kishma A. Barronville was very high in praise for the East End/Long Look sub- committee noting that she is aware of the challenges the committee faces.

“I want to say first of all thank you to the East End Long Look sub-committee. We understand that it’s not the easiest road, we know that there are some challenges, we know that there are obstacles for us to overcome but it’s very important that we take the time to say thank you to Mrs [Sandra] Potter-Warrican and her team that has helped to pull off this event here tonight.

She further noted that besides the reading of the history of the twin community as being the first free slave community in the Western Hemisphere, she said, “We all need to keep festivals alive just as our honouree was known to us as festival baby…. We too have a responsibility to teach our friends and children so that they too will be festival babies.”

Baronville continued, “…and there will be no debate with regards to where festival would be held, when it will be held, if it would be held.”

19 Responses to “‘Perish the thought of cancelling EE/LL Festival’- Hons Pickering & Penn”

  • Wonder (03/08/2016, 12:42) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    funny man is the one who started the rumour but so happy Pico put him in his place!
  • people from east hardly take part (03/08/2016, 14:46) Like (12) Dislike (12) Reply
    Of course it need cancelling.
  • Hmmmmm (03/08/2016, 14:57) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    How are we going to be one and stop looking at what east aND west doing and come together as one community to celebrate. I concur with Pickering something can be done in the eastern part of the island and western part of the island and then finish it off centrally. Look at all this money being spent on three different festivities maybe we need take a picture of the the so called down island people and see how true celebration is done. I am tired of this east west foolishness this is what causes divide. Come on let Vibe and Showtime show you how it's done man. You all need to stop it and have a major celebration so that we all can be proud of!!!!!!!
  • bvislander who came home to celebrate (03/08/2016, 15:07) Like (33) Dislike (4) Reply
    It is not fair for people who celebrating freedom to have to pay $30 to enter the venue.
    • Guest (04/08/2016, 09:02) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      You miss the point of freedom, you are free not to go, nobody holding you in chains saying you must attend....
    • payup (05/08/2016, 01:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      "FREEDOM" costs money nowadays
  • chad (03/08/2016, 15:08) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is sad that the politicians who represent the people are still thinking inside the box. What kind of leadership can they give? That is one of the reasons our territory is on the do ward slope.
  • sheer bull (03/08/2016, 17:23) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    One of the smallest island in the world with 3 festivals....BULL SHIGGIDY!
  • My observations. My 2 cents (03/08/2016, 17:46) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    Two things messing up our emancipation celebration..Greed, Radio Stations and Politicians.. let me explain. 1/ East End was doing very well before some Politician decided to involve Carrot bay.. Funds now had to shared and we had dish out more for fun.. 2/ Businesses are using the event to put their profit margin up and are not gathering and motivating and encouraging their staff to form a troupe participate..3/ These Radio stations all on jouvey parade day playing hip hop reggae and foreign Soca, no hype, I kept switching my Radio and I found ZBVI doing a great job..We need a Festival Radio Station who will give us the hype from May.. Get visitors excited and anxious to come..
  • Organizer get serious. (03/08/2016, 17:58) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't like what I'm seeing.. u have bands that together for years getting one night in the village and u have pick up bands that hardly play any way for the year getting .2 and 3 nights. We need better local music. Come on. I use to love and Enjoy Ecstacy, Prime Time, Splash. . Brass is an integral part of our culture. Not one local brass band in the village.. So all of them sound the same. Hear one u hear all. I stay a me yard.
  • wow (03/08/2016, 22:28) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Festival have become a real money racket.. $30 to get into village!! Ridiculous!! it has gone soooo far from what it used to be..have no real significant meaning anymore. The parade was a total mess this year. Education Minister could say what he wants..they need to get it together...or it will totaly go downhill..no more visitors..no more support..we must work together to make things work.
  • church (04/08/2016, 00:31) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    I say cancel them all
  • mitch against kedric/marlon? (04/08/2016, 02:18) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is cane garden bay and brewers bay competing against east end/long look???
  • See (05/08/2016, 01:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The whole experience has boiled down to getting drunk and high and guys hoping to get lucky . It is an embarrassment to our culture and participation is giving you the answer . One village one parade and one tramp . And just for laughs why not actually devote more time to the culture of Bvi . 7-10 days of just getting drunk is just plain stupid and disgusting.
  • LEADERS (05/08/2016, 01:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    FROM what i see , the kinda leaders you all picking for the island , clueless young boys ,, soon we'll have a lower estate village soon .
  • One Central Celebration (05/08/2016, 14:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government is short of money as claimed by the politicians. ONE celebration in the territory's capital and call it George.
  • W*F (05/08/2016, 20:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Put money and necessary support where your mouth is.
  • trrefdrfds (08/08/2016, 13:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I remember as a little girl growing up in the east end village, the festival committee use to put on regular funds raisers, why are they just waiting for money to be handed to them for things when they can raise funds by having fish fry etc. Even when they have beach jams or family fun days people will support them. I mean there were talks of people thiefing the money but I would think that that is a thing of the past. Its good to see that it has some new members now (younger ones) but are some that need replacing or kicked out. Ministers for the 8th why not give people an essentive to have a troupe of some kind.
    East End/Long Look people we need to do something before something before something do we. Pearline I know you can pull atleast 2 or three groups from long look. Ishmael I know you can too, put all differences aside and lets sit down together and make next year a good one. Lets try and make it better that road town own. There are a lot of us that are willing neal cant do it alone. Monique I know you up for it. I don't mean to call name but I know we have some good people up our side, Ministers for the eight and seventh you need to work wid we too. Marlon put the word out that east coming out big next year. We very talented, vibrant and creative people in East End/Lomg Long I know we can do this.


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