Culture

ALL STARS FACED THE JUDGES

The City of Bridgetown (COB) All Stars Calypso tent was the first to be judged for this year’s Crop Over Pick of the Crop competition. The show was held on Sunday at the Gary Sobers Gymnasium. The large a tough one. With the name All Stars, and it is easy to understand why the name was chosen, it is indeed a tent with lots of star performers.

Veteran calypsonian De Devil started the show and if anyone expected things to go down to hell, they were wrong as the show was lifted higher and higher by each performer. Despite battling a slight illness De Devil looked easy and comfortable as he did his song ‘Lit bit of dis, lit bit of dat’.

The first encore for the night was Franswa with a cleverly written song ‘Not only in Bim’. Not a household name in calypso circles but his flawless rendition surely will make the judges take note.

Sammy G with “Tek a shot” Charisma with “Hear” and Yahandje with “Heartless and Broken” each graced the stage and delivered their songs convincingly. The message to engage and listen to the young people in our society before it is too late resonated when Yahandje poured herself into her song.

Richard Antonio had a few people waving pride flags as he performed a thought-provoking song “Pride and Industry.” The song encouraged to pay attention to the LGBTQI Pride movement. A loud protest shout of ‘not ’bout here!’ could have been mistaken as part of the act, but it was not.

Darin Holder’s “Living life in reverse” a highly creative and forward-thinking concept for a song from a relative newcomer to the calypso stage, the multi-talented Holder made our minds think about the benefits of living life from an old age and journeying into our youthful year. It is a brain teaser that would cause most people to lend Darin an ear. If the judges like it Darin Holder may not be reversing but rather speeding forward to the finals.

The 10 points man of yesteryear Colin Spencer was smooth as silk in voice but coarse as sandpaper with his lyrics. His much-misunderstood calypso “Because of me” is a good exhibition of the craft of writing classic calypsos.

The top comedian Eric Lewis should be taken very seriously this year. After having a “Conversation with Mr. Satire” his message is no laughing matter he uses satire to expose a range of social and political realities that are hiding in plain view in Barbados. Serious judges will give this song deep consideration and send it to higher court.

Sammy Dello , gives testimony to a new out look of life. In his song “Chasing” he suggests that we spend too much time pursuing the wrong things. Looking fit and energetic, Sammy Dello is chasing down family, friends, and more wholesome things in life.

COB All Stars under the leadership of Eleanor Rice is a well-organized tent. The backing band is solid, and the back-up singers are invaluable to each song. All calypso tents need MC’s like Jennifer Walker and The Queen do a fantastic job. Not a minute is lost as the two of them manoeuvre between acts all the while interacting with the chatty audience.

Barbados’s Extempo King Shawnie performed a humorous and entertaining song “Its yuh voice”. Shawnie always grabs your attention as you are waiting for his extempo deliveries which are full of amusement. Caribbean Queen used her strong voice and clear diction to cry out for the rights of women to decide what to do with their pregnancy. Movingacross the stage with ease she advised all including the Catholic church to allow women to have a voice in the matter of abortion. This subject will surely evoke discussion.

Another encore performer was Niqa. Singing a song called “Chosen Few”, Niqa fell into the character of the song and had the entire Gymnasium in the palm of her hands, her chorus line is infectious, and she had not only her back-up girls singing but she had the audience. Niga’s performance hopefully earned her a place in the judges chosen few.

Kidsite kept his standard of calypso high with “If they had their way” . Looking large and totally in charge in a white outfit, the former multiple calypso king suggested that if the authorities had their way things would be worse than they currently are. Jude Clarke addressed the topic of AI in a song called “Artificial Intelligence”.

Next up was Donella doing the most emotive song for the night “Who next”. We all know that the lady is a class act and that she never disappoints. The topic of guns and murders in Barbados touches the heart of everyone especially the mothers of victims of crime. The intensity of Donella as a mother is witnessed in the way she renders the song; one can hear the tears in her voice. Her performance was a winning one.

One of the big calypsos for Crop Over 2023 is the hot and spicy “Cat piss and peppa” performed by Teri. This hard-hitting political commentary is waking up the tent each time. Teri knows how to work the song and she whipped up the audience, had them dancing and singing along. There are not many calypsos this year that contain the ‘peppa’ of this song.

John Yarde preached the “Gospel according to John” and his ‘congregation’ was converted and convinced. The man of the clothe demonstrated why he can wear two caps and be a man of calypso.

All Stars’ judging night was already solid as a rock by the time the last performer Ishaika came to sing “piece of de rock”. Closing a show of this calibre can not be easy, one would have to be an ace performer. Ishaika’s imagery in the song and on stage were riveting and seemed to surprise the audience who had heard 18 top class calypsos for the night. “Piece of de rock” may be good enough to get Ishaika piece of the real estate at the calypso finals. (Christopher Williams)

Culture

Heritage Month 2025 Launched | Several Receive Heritage Awards

The historic Morgan Lewis Windmill came alive on Sunday, June 1, as the Division of Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, in collaboration with its Barbados World Heritage Committee, officially launched Heritage Month 2025 under the theme: “Preserving and Protecting Our Heritage”.

The ceremony marked the beginning of a month-long celebration that forms part of the broader Season of Emancipation, which runs until August 27. In her remarks, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, emphasised that preserving heritage is not just about honouring the past, but about shaping the future.

“We must recognise heritage as a living resource. It is a tool for empowerment, especially for our youth and a pathway toward building resilient, culturally grounded communities,” she said.

The Minister connected the Heritage Month observance to broader national goals, particularly the empowerment of youth and the development of new economies rooted in cultural heritage.

Dr. Sheron Johnson, Senior Cultural Policy and Research Officer and Focal Point for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, reflected on the growth of Heritage Month since its inception in 2012.

“What began as a single initiative to mark our UNESCO inscription has evolved into a national observance. It now encompasses all aspects of Barbadian heritage – from built heritage to the stories and traditions that continue to shape our identity,” she noted. “We are excited to see increasing engagement from young people and communities islandwide.”

One of the highlights of the launch was the presentation of the Recognition of Contribution to Heritage Awards, acknowledging outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the preservation of Barbadian heritage. This year’s honourees were:

Peggy McGeary – for her work in education, folk culture and museum programming
Virgil Broodhagen – for artistic excellence and historic preservation
Neville Legall – for visual arts and cultural mentorship
Bruce Jardine and Robert O’Neal – for architectural restoration and heritage leadership
Professor Pedro Welch (posthumous) – for pioneering research in history and heritage. His daughter Gem Bonnett attended the event and accepted the award on his behalf.

Two Outstanding Heritage Stewards, Sherry Headley and Randy Batson, were also recognised for their volunteer service and youth mentorship in heritage initiatives.

Heritage Month 2025 features a diverse slate of public events, including:

Jazz in the Churchyard – June 14 at St. Mary’s Anglican Church
Historic Mosques of Bridgetown Book Launch – June 16
Heritage Pop-Up at We Gatherin’ St. George – June 21
Barbados National Trust Bus Tour – June 21
Antiques Market and Writer’s Ink Literary Tour – June 22
Youth Roundtable on Heritage and Science – June 25
Rock Hall Freedom Village Tour – June 28
BTMI Genealogy Lecture – June 29

The evening concluded with a rum tasting by Dr. Geoff Ward and guided tours of the windmill. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Minister with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight (centre), poses with Heritage Award honourees (left to right) – Gem Bonnett; Virgil Broodhagen; Peggy McGeary; Robert O’Neal; Bruce Jardine; and Neville Legall, at the launch of Heritage Month 2025 at the Morgan Lewis Windmill last Sunday.

Culture

Barbados Goes To Southern California

“We Gatherin’ 2025 is about us as a people. It is a celebration designed to inspire national pride in all Barbadians and create the environment for us to create the best version of Barbados for us, by us. Barbados is calling you home!”

Barbados’ Ambassador to the United States of America, Vic Fernandes, made this declaration last Saturday, while delivering the keynote address at the Embassy of Barbados’ We Gatherin’ launch in Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles, California.

Ambassador Fernandes stated that the year-long event was “not just a festival” but “a celebration of us—we Bajans”.

He continued: “It is an opportunity to honour our achievements, share our stories, and look boldly toward the future. Imagine a year where every parish comes alive, culminating in December when we all come together, showcasing the vibrancy of our culture in every village and community. Picture the laughter and conversations of reunited families and old friends, filling the air with joy and nostalgia.”

Over 200 Barbadians, including from the Barbados Association of Southern California, and Bajan and Friends for Health and Education Inc., participated in the launch. They benefitted from exchanges with the team from the Embassy of Barbados, which comprised Ambassador Fernandes; First Secretary William Clarke; and Information and Logistics Officer, Tricia Greaves-Staggs.

Prizes and giveaways were facilitated by the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and Export Barbados. First Secretary Clarke also took the opportunity to introduce some of Barbados’ priorities, including education reform; creating a diaspora database; trade; digital transformation and the Bridgetown Initiative.

He indicated that We Gatherin’ 2025 is more than an event – it’s a chance to deepen our bonds and revel in the pride of being Bajan and to connect with Barbadians near and far, wherever in the world they may be. (PR/GIS)

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)