The winning theme for the upcoming Festival, ‘Looking back at 175 years of being fully free, Our Culture, Our Heritage and Virgin Islands History’, was done by Ms Linette Rabsatt (left). She won herself $250, which is seen here receiving from Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) Marvin 'MB' Blyden. Photo: VINO

Ms Yvonne Mactavious receives her prize for winning the VI Festival 2013 Slogan Competition. Looking on is Director of Culture Luce Hodge-Smith (centre). Photo: VINO

The Theme and Slogan competitions winners pose for a photo with members of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee and Department of Culture. Photo: VINO

The winning slogan is ‘2013 Festival, Virgin Islands Style- Celebrate Freedom with Territorial Pride’.

The winning theme was done by Ms Linette Rabsatt while the slogan is the work of Ms Yvonne Mactavious. Both were on hand to receive their token of $250 for winning the respective competitions.

Chairman of the VIF&FC Marvin Blyden noted that every year persons look forward to the theme and slogan to tell which direction the Festival will be going. He said he had already been receiving numerous calls from persons eager to know the theme so they could start working on their costumes.

Mr Blyden noted that there were many entries to choose from in both of the competitions as they were all very interesting and that the VIF&FC had to take its time to choose the ones that were most easy to work with and that would “sell” the Festival.

Of the theme, he described it as appropriate for the time of year while of the slogan he highlighted the words ‘style’ and ‘pride’ that have become a part of the Virgin Islands culture.

Director of Culture Luce Hodge-Smith noted that each year the committee invites the general public to get involved and participate in the different aspects of Festival and that the Theme and Slogan competitions presented such an opportunity.

Meanwhile, part of the criteria for developing a theme and slogan included mentioning the word Festival along with the incorporation of historical and cultural elements pertaining to the History and Culture of the Virgin Islands.

Ms Rabsatt said she was very happy to have her submission chosen as the theme for Festival 2013 and sought to give a brief explanation of her thoughts behind the theme. “As I considered our rich history and culture and the journey that we have taken from the time our ancestors left the African shores, I sought to create a theme that would inspire and encourage my fellow Virgin Islanders to remember what we have achieved over the past 175 years.

The Theme Competition winner also commended the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Department of Culture, the BVI Tourist Board and the Festival and Fairs Committee for their continued efforts to preserve and promote our culture through the annual Emancipation Celebrations.

“As we as a Territory plan for Festival 2013, let us be mindful of the beauty, culture and history that these Virgin Islands hold.”

Ms Mactavious said she was actually listening to Jam Band one afternoon and saw the advertisement the Slogan Competition and decided to enter through encouragement from her two daughters.

Meanwhile, the VIF&FC is already looking forward to an early start in preparations for the 2014 Festival and said the Theme and Slogan Competitions will be announced shortly.