Barbados Celebrates Independence Anniversary In Cuba

The Barbados Embassy at Havana hosted a special celebration to mark Barbados’ 59th Anniversary of Independence and its fourth year as a Parliamentary Republic.

Specially invited guests, including Cuba’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, Cuban government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, Episcopal Bishop of Cuba, Bishop Angel Rivera, Barbadian descendants and students, and a 40-member Barbadian group on tour attended the Barbados in Cuba: A Culinary and Cultural Experience.

Entertainment comprised a tuk band with Corey Bradshaw, Karl Smith and Christopher Forte. Barbadian Master Chef, Creig Greenidge, and award-winning Master Mixologist, Dameian Williams, provided an unforgettable culinary experience.

Chef Greenidge prepared a wide array of Bajan delicacies for guests to enjoy, while Mr. Williams created signature rum cocktails, which were a major hit during the evening.

The Cuban choral group Vocal Luna sang touching renditions of the national anthems of Cuba and Barbados, and performed the Bajan folk songs “Dah Cocoa Tea”, “Bromley” and “Barbados Uh Come From”, much to the delight of the visiting Barbadians.

This cultural fusion continued as the tuk band performed with two Cuban congueros (conga drummers), accompanied by four dancers.

Young Barbadian disc jockey, Tito Holligan, known as DJ Toes, made his international debut, entertaining the attendees with Bajan and Caribbean music to close the evening’s festivities.

In her welcome remarks, Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall, thanked the performers for their contribution to the event’s success, and expressed gratitude to the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and the National Cultural Foundation for facilitating the travel of DJ Toes to Cuba, and sponsorship of the tuk band’s travel. 

Independence celebrations in Cuba concluded on Sunday, November 30, with a service at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the mother church of the Episcopal Church in Cuba. 

During the service, Bishop Rivera offered congratulations and said special prayers for the Government and people of Barbados, and the Anglican Bishop of Barbados, the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell. (PR)