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Opening of VI Emancipation Festival was 'not just bacchanal’- Bishop Cline

- said it felt like a cultural emancipation event
The Torchlight Procession, one of the most significant events of the Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival, about to begin in Road Town on July 27, 2026. Photo: Facebook
Former Interim President of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Bishop John I. Cline, said the Torchlight Procession and official opening of the 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival felt like a cultural emancipation event and not bacchanal. Photo: Facebook
Former Interim President of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Bishop John I. Cline, said the Torchlight Procession and official opening of the 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival felt like a cultural emancipation event and not bacchanal. Photo: Facebook
The 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival officially opened on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Lavida Cottoy Festiville. Celebrations are being held under the theme ’Culture Rising, Hearts Align. VI Festival, One of a Kind’. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
The 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival officially opened on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Lavida Cottoy Festiville. Celebrations are being held under the theme ’Culture Rising, Hearts Align. VI Festival, One of a Kind’. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI- Former Interim President of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Bishop John I. Cline, said the Torchlight Procession and Official Opening of the 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival felt like a cultural emancipation event and not bacchanal.

“We had a wonderful torchlight march from the admin complex up to the festival ground. That was good; it felt like a cultural emancipation event and not just a bacchanal or carnival setting. So I was grateful to be a part of that,” Bishop Cline said during a live stream on his Facebook page on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. 

Some members of the public, including church officials, have criticised the festival as having lost its cultural significance and leaning heavily towards a carnival-like experience. 

The 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival officially opened on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Lavida Cottoy Festiville. Celebrations are being held under the theme ’Culture Rising, Hearts Align. VI Festival, One of a Kind’. 

Have a safe emancipation celebration

He expressed gratitude to Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8) for their participation in leading the Torch Light Procession. 

Bishop Cline encouraged persons to enjoy the Emancipation celebrations, adding, “I just want to wish everyone a safe emancipation celebration holiday season… [I] hope that we have a good emancipation season and not just flesh and feathers as the late Honourable Eileens Parsons [has] said.”

Festivities continue this evening at the Lavida Cottoy Festiville with the Soca Monarch Competition. The Miss BVI Pageant, scheduled for August 2, 2026, is another highly anticipated event on the festival's calendar of activities. 

The 2026 Emancipation Festival will culminate on August 8, 2026.

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