Is it time for an ‘Anegada Day’?
One caller on the Speak Out BVI radio show asked the question whether something could be done to save the cultural spirit of Anegada and the descendants of Salt Island. He asked whether an appeal could be made to the government for a day to be set aside for one of the days during the August Festival specially for Anegadians.
“I am asking just to see these two islands’ descendants enjoy a day,” the caller said. He argued that when holidays usually come around, there were approximately five or six activities being held and none of the events usually have any significant participation.
“These ancestors and the descendants of these islands deserve a day so people could give their full participation to an event on those islands,” he suggested while stating that this should be taken as food for thought.
Director of Culture, Luce Hodge Smith said the implementation of this day may mean giving up another holiday or two. She was hopeful that a day may emerge for the people of Anegada with the upcoming lobster fest scheduled to be held later in the year.
Fifth District Representative Hon. Delores Christopher felt a day could be organised and noted that it was something to look into.
Host of the programme, Douglas Wheatley felt that a closer look needed to be given to holidays now that discussions are being held about the Virgin Islands’ culture and history.
He argued for a day of recognition for the 1949 march to be set aside since it coincided with the return of the legislative council. “I think it is such a significant thing that we should have a day for that… call it BVI Day,” he said.
Hon. Christopher said she didn’t know if another holiday could be added to the already lengthy list of holidays for the Territory.
Hodge Smith suggested that Heritage Month, which is celebrated in August could also be utilised to incorporate any such days of recognition.
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8 Responses to “Is it time for an ‘Anegada Day’?”
WHY D...DONT GO SIT DOWN. EVERYTIME SHE OPEN HER MOUTH IS PURE NONSENSE COMING OUT!
We must be proud of who we are and where came from. And we must plough forward with confidence and not let being relegated to the bottom of the social ladder deter us. We need to define ourselves and not let others define us. You have proven that where you were born or who your parents were was not a limiting factor in your journey to the top; it was environment and opportunity. Moreover, descendants from both Anegada and the Southern Cays have made their contributions at home and abroad. Though it is always risky to recognize people because someone may be inadvertently not recognized, nonetheless, here is a sprinkling of persons of Anegadian and Southern Cays subtract who have contributed and left their mark: Pastor Dr. Sonia Brooks, the late Hon. former Chief Minister C. B. Romney, Theodolph Faulkner ( leader of the 1949 March), Nurse Geraldine Norman, Dr. Charles Wheatley, Anne Lennard, Inspector Jacqueline Vanterpool, Lily Mae Durante, Victoreen Romney-Varlack, the late Dr. Pearl Varlack, Dr. Sylvia Simmonds, Anna Rabsatt, Elton Leonard, Sandra Warrington, Nurse Nora Mann, Watson White, Luce Hodge-Smith, Joycelyn Leonard, Bishop Carswell Leonard, the late former educator and permanent secretary Elvin "Soupy" Stoutt ....etc.
Additionally, a blogger on another site advocated for a Theodolph Fualkner Day. This would be a long overdue recognition. Dolph Fualkner was the leader of the leader of the leader of the 1949 March that resulted in the reinstituting of the legislative Council. Nevertheless, he has not gotten the recognition that others have gotten. It makes one think out aloud and wonder if he were from the mainland if things would have been different.
Furthermore, government can play a part in preserving and celebrating the culture of these outlying islands. However, it will be up to the descendents to not let things happen or watch things happen but be active in making things happen.