Culture

Cultural Event Celebrates Japanese-CARICOM Year Of Friendship

As part of the activities to mark the Japanese-CARICOM Friendship Year 2024, patrons were exposed to Japanese culture through Jiutami (song dance) and musical performances on the Koto, at the Walled Garden Theatre, The Garrison, St. Michael, last Saturday.

The event was attended by several government officials and diplomats. These included the President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds; Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight; Japan’s Ambassador to Barbados, Kayoko Fukushima, and Canada’s High Commissioner to Barbados, Lilian Chatterjee.

Minister Symmonds told the attendees that the Barbados-Japan nexus has been characterised by a close and active relationship, strengthened with collaboration in the areas of energy and disaster risk reduction, information and communication technologies, and capacity-building programmes offered by Japan’s international cooperation agency.

He emphasised that Japan has demonstrated support, particularly in issues related to small island developing states, climate change and disaster risk management and mitigation, and extended gratitude for the assistance provided over the years.

“Japan has been a reliable partner, and Japan has been a constant ally in our development. And Ambassador, on behalf of a grateful nation, I want to use this opportunity to say to you that the relationship is very, very important to us and that we pledge not only in Barbados but by extension in CARICOM to continue to work closely with the Government and people of Japan in the interest of shared cooperation on mutually important matters in the interest of our people,” Mr. Symmonds stated.

Ambassador Fukushima noted that despite the geographic distance, Japan and Barbados have deepened their relationship over the years, grounded by common values and “emboldened” by the desire to tackle common challenges, such as climate change and natural disasters.

She said it was her pleasure to share a piece of Japanese culture as she had grown fond of Barbadian culture since her posting began in 2022.

“I am especially pleased to showcase the traditional Japanese dance and music performances because much like Barbados, music and dance are a focal point of Japanese culture. During my time in Barbados, I have grown fond of Barbadian music and dance, for the wit of calypso songs and the ingenuity of landship performances, both capture the rich heritage of this country.

“The universality of the arts truly transcends linguistic barriers and boundaries, and it is my sincere hope that this evening provides you with the opportunity to enjoy and better understand Japanese culture and further our nations’ strong bond,” Ambassador Fukushima stated.

During the evening, two Jiutamai performances entitled ‘Kanegamisaki’ and ‘Yamauba‘ were performed by Tokijyo Hanasaki and Kaname Hanasaki, while Shogo Hiyoshi performed an instrumental piece on the 13-stringed Koto instrument entitled ‘Isuzugawa – Matsuri no Taiko’.

This year marks 30 years since the 1st Japan-CARICOM consultation and the 57th anniversary of established diplomatic relations between Japan and Barbados. Barbados and Japan established diplomatic relations on August 29, 1967. (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Japanese performer, Shogo Hiyoshi; Director of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, Alissandra Cummins; performer, Kaname Hanasaki; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds; President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; performer, Tokijyo Hanasaki; and Japan’s Ambassador to Barbados, Kayoko Fukushima.

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)

Culture

Season Of Emancipation Must Grow Beyond “A Set Date Of Activities”

Minister with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, is suggesting that the Season of Emancipation (SOE) moves beyond the commemoration of a “set of dates of activities”.

In fact, she believes that the time has come for the successes of the celebrations to be consolidated to create a larger footprint that resonates with Barbadians on a larger scale.

Senator Munro-Knight expressed this view during the 2025 Season of Emancipation media launch at the Rock Hall Freedom Village, St. Thomas.

The Minister told the gathering that the Ministry engaged in “a period of reflection” after the hosting of each Season of Emancipation activities through the lens of the Ministry’s internal critique, public opinion where applicable, and that of its stakeholders.

“And that reflection has said a couple of things to us, one, that the Season of Emancipation needs to move beyond a commemoration of a set of dates of activities to grounding that understanding of that intersection again with the past, now and future within communities and within the wider Barbadian psyche…. We need to move beyond the chorus of those of us who understand, those of us who are enthused, those of us who have already embraced the notion of emancipation and that journey and what it means…. Like I said before, embracing the wider Barbadian [public] and bringing them into the discourse and to the full understanding,” Senator Munro-Knight proffered.

She continued: “Our reflection on the Season of Emancipation also says to us that we need to create scale, that while we have done a number of things that have been good on their own, a number of activities that have been good on their own, that we need to make sure that we can now consolidate on those efforts that have been successful by creating a larger footprint, and then again, as I said, engaging more Barbadians.”

The Minister maintained that this year’s activities would see a “more concentrated effort and not just public relations” but educational awareness that involved a mix of competitions, docudramas, and other activities to lift the Season of Emancipation to a higher level of engagement.

A highlight of this year’s activities Dr. Munro-Knight said will be a partnership with Duke University in the United States of America on a project to immerse the bust of King Cuffie at sea in Speightstown, St. Peter. The bust will be removed one year later from the date, as an act of reconnecting with the past.

Meanwhile, Programme Advisor for Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement in the Prime Minister’s Office, Rodney Grant, gave an overview of the activities for the season, which runs from April 14 to August 27.

Mr. Grant said the public must never take the sacrifices of our ancestors for granted as we reflect on our journey to emancipation.

“Our ancestors never had free will. They could not choose when they wanted to eat, when they wanted to work, when they wanted to get up, when they wanted to go sleep, and we now, today, take this free will for granted. They died, suffered; they were burnt to death because they fought for us today to have freedom to do the things that we see are necessary and the things that we enjoy…. We should not take freedom for granted.”

Mr. Grant noted that emancipation and freedom were processes that were not yet over and it was “incumbent on all of us to continue to fight for emancipation”. (PR/GIS)