With the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival on the horizon, many are concerned that the festivities may have veered too far away from its religious roots in favour of a more social and cultural gathering. Photo: Facebook

New Chairman of the BVI Festival and Fairs Committee (BVIF&FC) Mr Carnel D. Clyne, while recognising the change in direction, has indicated that since taking over the Committee, the festival had already evolved, hence, steps may not be taken to bring it back to its roots. Photo: Facebook

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education & Culture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley aka ‘Sowande Uhuru’ in expressing excitement says that he is happy to be leading the charge for 2019 as a new Minister. Photo: Facebook

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – With the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival on the horizon, many are concerned that the festivities may have veered too far away from its religious roots in favour of a more social and cultural gathering.

New Chairman of the BVI Festival and Fairs Committee (BVIF&FC) Mr Carnel D. Clyne, while recognising the change in direction, has indicated that since taking over the Committee, the festival had already evolved, hence, steps may not be taken to bring it back to its roots. 

Spinning Wheels

“When I came, the wheels were already spinning, so I had to jump in and follow their lead,” he told guest host Mitsy J. Ellis-Simpson during the Tuesday, April 10, 2019, edition of ‘Honesty Speaking’ on ZBVI 780am.

He said, however, plans are already afoot for the festival with various activities planned beginning with a fisherman’s tournament to kick off on April 20, 2019.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education & Culture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) aka ‘Sowande Uhuru’ in expressing excitement, says that he is happy to be leading the charge for 2019 as a new Minister.

“I’m excited to be working with the team I’m working with, I’m excited to be working with Carnel Clyne who is like myself a young brother, we have ideas, we have energy, we have enthusiasm we want to get involved,” he said.

Change Inevitable 

“I like many others in my community have become concerned that festivals have somewhat departed from their roots to an extent… it’s going to change but we want to make sure that the change is something in line with our values, in line with our culture and I want to ensure [the] festival stays about family, stays about friends, stays about fun, stays about our culture,” Dr Wheatley told the listening audience.

Further, he said with change, one has to make sure that things don’t move too far away, “because we know at the beginning of the festival, it is something that the church was heavily involved in but in addition to the church being heavily involved, it’s really [a] community-based event.”

According to the Minister, the event will, therefore, continue being a grand social spectacle, “An event [where] you can come out and perhaps meet persons… you haven’t seen for a while, persons coming home to enjoy the activities,” he said.