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