Shaquill Rubaine and Brittany Fahie captured the title of Prince and Princess at the 2003 pageant held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall last week

New Minister of Culture declares Marie’s Festiville open

New Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Lloyd Black officially opened BVI Festival 2003 last Friday night July 25^th, under the theme “It’s a Cultural Jamboree, Participate, Celebrate in Unity for Festival 2003”.
Festival celebrations this year are being held at the Old Festival Village, opposite the A.O. Shirley Recreations Grounds and will run until August 9^th.  Activities will include local and international reggae and calypso shows, pageants, tramps, parades, aquatic sports and plait pole, horse racing and the East End/Long Look and Carrot Bay festivals.

Hon. Black extended a welcome to everyone, especially the first time visitors and seasonal visitors and the BVIslanders who reside overseas, who make it a point to return home for the emancipation celebration each year.

“This year is the 169^th anniversary of our emancipation,” he pointed out. He said it was quite fitting therefore to begin the festivities with the grand GospelFest, a programme of praise and thanksgiving.

Speaking to the theme of BVI Festival 2003, the Minister of Culture said it calls for everyone to join together in fellowship and brotherhood to celebrate an event that has great historical significance.

He thanked the public for their overwhelming support for Hon. Eileene Parsons who has been coordinating this year’s activities, in conjunction with the Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee Mrs. Luce Hodge-Smith and the other hard working committee members.  “Again I take this opportunity to thank them for their invaluable support and assistance.”

Hon. Black also again acknowledged and congratulated honouree Mrs. Mariette Fahie, for whom the village is named. He said it is an honour that is well deserving, for it is only fitting to recognize the selfless and invaluable contribution BVIslanders have made to preserve our culture.

The Minister said the committee has made every attempt to ensure that the festivities depict our cultural heritage, with the most addition being a cultural exhibition at the West Atrium of the Central administration Complex on August Monday and Tuesday. “I embrace this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable festival and trust that this will be a meaningful emancipation celebration as we all join in unity to celebrate this festival,” he concluded.

Following a dance performance from the BVI High School Dancers, Hon. Delores Christopher, MP D-5, pledged to work with the festival committee to continue to enhance festival, especially for next year’s celebration  the 50^th anniversary to be celebrated in grand style.

“I will also continue to work with members of our new government as we seek to chart a bright future for our country and our people,” the new Legislator declared.

She used the opportunity to also congratulate Mrs. Mariette Fahie, who she said keeps BVI culture alive, especially through her local cuisine.  She noted that our culture is not found only in our music and in our dance, but by every way of life, our traditions and customs, the way we greet each other, our values etc.

“So, I encourage each and everyone of us to do our part in maintaining the rich culture that we have,” the MP urged.

In presenting the commemorative plaque from the VIF&FC, Hon. Eileene Parsons pointed out that Mrs. Fahie “came alive at a time when young girls were trained to be mothers and wives, they were taught to clean, to sew, to wash and iron a white shirt so that it looked brand new, to care for children and most of all they were taught to cook.”

This year marks 23 years since Mrs. Fahie, along with her children, has been operating a booth in festival village.

Hon. Parsons also paid tribute to several persons who also made opening night possible, including the Public Works crew.

Following the cutting of the ribbon by Ms. BVI 2002 Bethsaida Smith and 2003 Prince and Princess Shakil Rubaine and Brittney Fahie, the Culture Minister then declared the 2003 festival village open.