Culture

UNESCO Inscription A Plus For Barbados On International Stage

The Division of Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office hosted a two-day workshop to fine-tune the nomination document to ensure that Barbados’ prospects for inscription on the lists of the UNESCO 2003 Convention are enhanced.

Barbados’ indigenous sport, road tennis, has been nominated on the representative list of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity, while the Barbados Landship Movement will be nominated for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

The workshop, under the theme: Barbados National Workshop on Preparing Nominations Under the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, began yesterday at the Courtyard by Marriott.

During the session, stakeholders, heritage professionals, and persons in the community involved with the two of the island’s indigenous institutions were told by Senior UNESCO Facilitator for the 2003 Convention, Nigel Encalada, that the nomination would give the island more international exposure and open doors for future projects and financing, among other benefits.

Participants were also given suggestions by the UNESCO facilitator on how to enhance the various sections of the document to make a stronger argument for the inscription.

Speaking during a media briefing ahead of the start of the session, Chief Cultural Policy Officer in the Division, Dr. Donna Greene-Rusnighi, said: “We are submitting the nomination of the Barbados Landship for urgent safeguarding, and we are submitting road tennis for inscription on the safeguarding list….

“Senior UNESCO Facilitator for the 2003 Convention Nigel Encalada is evaluating our nomination filed and is also sharing with stakeholders, heritage professionals, and persons in the industry, both in the public and private sector, what the nomination process is; what UNESCO is looking for [and] the criteria for getting an element on the list.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Encalada congratulated the Government for taking this step, pointing out that there has been a growing movement by countries, over the last few years, to safeguard their living heritage, such as world heritage and archaeological sites.

*Chief Cultural Policy Officer in the Division of Culture, Dr. Donna Greene-Rusnighi, speaking at the two-day workshop while Senior UNESCO Facilitator for the 2003 Convention, Nigel Encalada, looks on*.

“It is very rare that these sites exist without the work of the people. Living heritage is critical…but there are two purposes, I would say, for making this move that you’re making now to prepare this nomination. One is to bring an awareness about Barbadian cultural heritage and the role it plays to your society and people, and secondly, to bring to the attention of the society and the practitioners themselves that these elements…these living and inherited practices need and deserve to be safeguarded for future generations,” he stated.

Mr. Encalada added: “Over the next few days, what we’ll…be using the applications that have been drafted and we’ll be simultaneously doing a technical workshop [on] how to go through this process. We’ll be having dialogue with community practitioners, the various stakeholders, and governmental stakeholders as well to see how we can bring the file to a point where it can be submitted, which is very shortly.”

There were also a road tennis display and performance by the Barbados Landship, which were well received by participants and visitors staying at the hotel. (PR/GIS)

CAPTION: Senior UNESCO Facilitator for the 2003 Convention, Nigel Encalada, addressing participants at the two-day workshop at the Courtyard by Marriott

Culture

Barbados Participates In International Conference On Cultural Heritage

A three-member Barbadian delegation is in Nairobi, Kenya, attending the International Conference on Cultural Heritage in Africa: A Dialogue on the Concept of Authenticity, which aims to foster an exchange of research, experience, knowledge, and observations.

The members of the delegation are Steve Devonish, Chair of the Barbados World Heritage Committee and Site Manager for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison; Alissandra Cummins, Deputy Chair of the Barbados World Heritage Committee; and Dr. Sheron Johnson, Focal Point for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison.

The four-day conference is a significant event dedicated to repositioning and redefining the concepts of authenticity and integrity in the context of African heritage. It is organised by UNESCO, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Kenya and the African World Heritage Fund, and has brought together heritage experts, government officials, local communities, non-governmental organisations, and academics from across Africa and the world.

Barbados, as the only Caribbean country to present at the conference, has been welcomed wholeheartedly by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, Lazare Eloundou Assomo, organisers of the conference, and other African countries.

The delegation, at the request of the Director, spoke to the outcomes of the conference having implications for small island developing states such as Barbados, as much of our heritage has linkage with Africa.

The meeting also seeks to address the gap between global heritage frameworks and African realities, particularly how authenticity and integrity are defined and applied. Its importance lies in the current application of authenticity, which has a European slate and negates African ecological realities, communities and landscapes.

Africa is home to an extraordinary wealth of cultural and natural heritage, yet it remains underrepresented on the World Heritage List. Currently, African sites make up only 12.26 per cent of the 1,223 World Heritage properties globally, despite the continent’s significance as the cradle of humanity. Additionally, it has the highest number of endangered heritage sites worldwide.

While in Kenya, the delegation, led by Mr. Devonish, paid a visit to the High Commission for Barbados in Kenya and engaged in fruitful discussions with the High Commissioner William McDonald on ways to further deepen the relation between Barbados and African States on matters of heritage, support for Barbados’ future plans at the World Heritage Centre, and ways the Division of Culture can support the Mission’s outreach to the Kenyan population. (PR/GIS)

Culture

Clarification Of Investment Target For We Gatherin’ 2025

As the We Gatherin’ initiative continues in full stride, we take this time to thank those members of corporate Barbados who have committed to helping us reach our target of $5,000,000 (five million) in support and investment, whether cash or in kind.

So far, we have secured $500,000 from businesses across the island, and we continue to encourage other private sector entities to contribute to this historical initiative, that not only brings our society closer together but that will provide much needed assistance to programs that will benefit our youth, helping to steer us through troubled times to a better, more peaceful and prosperous Barbados for all.

After the recently concluded church service at St. Anne’s Church in St. Joseph, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight was keen to speak on the progress towards reaching this target.

“During my address, I inadvertently mentioned a figure of $5 million in private sector donations. That number reflects our aspirational goal, not the current reality. To clarify, we have presently secured $500,000 in contributions toward this initiative. We remain deeply grateful for the support received thus far and continue to encourage additional private sector partners to join us in this important national effort.”

We Gatherin’ 2025 continues with events and activities in St. Joseph for the month of April and moving on to St. John in May. (PR/GIS)

Culture

We Gatherin’ Activities Launched In Boston Over The Weekend

The spirit of Barbados was alive last Saturday, March 22, as the Consulate General of Barbados in New York, in partnership with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), officially launched the ‘We Gatherin’ 2025 series in Boston.

According to Consul General Lorenzo Harewood, the event, held at the Sorrel and Lime place, was a spectacular showcase of Barbadian culture, bringing together scores of Barbadians and friends of Barbados for an unforgettable experience.

“Attendees were immersed in the rich sights, sounds, and flavours of the island, enjoying pulsating local music, mouthwatering Bajan cuisine, and a vibrant marketplace filled with stalls owned by Barbadian entrepreneurs,” he said.

He noted that from handcrafted souvenirs to locally made products, the event provided a platform for businesses to connect with the diaspora and promote authentic Barbadian goods.

The Consul General said that the energy in the room was electric as Barbadians, young and old, reunited with friends, made new connections, and celebrated their shared heritage.

A major highlight of the evening was the exciting giveaways, including exclusive discounted travel packages and the grand prize won by Carson Straughn – a trip for two to Barbados. The winners were thrilled at the chance to visit their homeland and immerse themselves in all that the island has to offer.

Mr. Harewood stated that the successful launch marked the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating ‘We Gatherin’ 2025’ series.

“With overwhelming support and enthusiasm from attendees, the celebrations are set to continue in Connecticut, and Philadelphia, and culminate in a grand finale in New York throughout April and May. Many attendees have pledged to follow the journey, eager to experience more of the warmth, culture, and togetherness that define the Barbadian spirit,” he remarked.

The Consul General added: “The partnership between the Consulate and BTMI underscores a shared commitment to strengthening connections between Barbados and its diaspora while promoting the island as a premier destination for both leisure and business.

“As the excitement builds, Barbadians across generations are encouraged to join the movement, return home, and take part in the national festivals and activities happening throughout 2025.”

During the event, a brief intermission provided an opportunity to recognise outstanding professional achievements. Mr. Harewood took to the stage to present the prestigious Professional Achievement Award to Professor Cardinal Warde, a distinguished faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Professor Warde is widely regarded as a leading expert in optical information processing and display technologies. His extensive contributions to the field include over 150 technical papers, co-editorship of a book, and co-authorship of three book chapters on optical materials and devices.

Beyond academia, his innovative work is reflected in 12 patents related to spatial light modulators, displays, and optical information processing systems, solidifying his influence in advancing cutting-edge optical technologies. (PR/GIS)