Culture

Junior Kadooment is back! 26 bands on parade

For three summers, Barbados’ young masqueraders had to trade in their bejewelled headpieces for the KN95 masks as COVID-19 halted Junior Kadooment’s national parade.

However, the National Cultural Foundation spent this time ensuring that the parade’s cultural significance lived on through workshops, community parades and other initiatives.

The much-anticipated return of the junior spectacle promises to bring back the vibrant colours, energetic rhythms, and a renewed sense of cultural pride next Saturday, July 15^th at the National Botanical Gardens.

Two key features of the event which can be enjoyed by masqueraders and patrons are: The Party Zone which will give the juniors and patrons to the event multiple attractions including face painting, instant photos, and fair attractions such as jumping tents, wall climbing, merry go rounds, and slides and the Cool Down Zone is where the coolest treats of the Crop Over Festival will be: ice-cream, snow cones, food and beverages, and of course, Sunshine Snacks. There will also be live entertainment.

Participating schools in this year’s Universal Cereal SigniaGlobe Financial Junior Masquerade Project will be a major component of the national parade.

The Junior Masquerade programme is aimed at providing children with the chance to learn traditional art forms such as Landship dancing. The project also allowed schools and communities to host their own parades last year. Not only will this initiative continue this year, but last year’s participants now make up many of the 26 registered bands of the national parade.

At the media launch, Chief Executive Officer of the NCF Carol Roberts emphasised that these types of initiatives ensure the viability of Crop Over which, beyond economic advantages, provide special moments of respite and other intangible benefits.

Sunshine Snacks Junior Kadooment willshowcase the very best of Barbados and for that, Roberts expressed a special thank you to Sunshine Snacks for their continued support of the event in times where many others are seeking investments. Gratitude was also extended to dedicated participants including designers, schools and community groups.

The colourful and lively kid’s mini masquerade parade led by Festival Designer Kevin Small and joined by Pinelands Creative Workshop (PCW) Tuk Band was a testament of the devotion Roberts highlighted. Passion for the culture was also felt during PWC Juniors’ captivating Landship presentation and reigning Scotiabank Junior Monarch Tae’s energetic performance of her infectious songs. This, plus seeing the children having fun in the tradition, the Sunshine Snacks mascot dancing along on the side-lines, and the parents cheering on put even the media personnel in the Crop Over spirit.

Kathryn Inniss, Assistant General Manager of Sunshine Snacks, said they were excited to be the title sponsor of the eventwhich celebrates creativity and vibrancy of Barbadian youth. Inniss said that they were proud to also be sponsoring several Crop Over events.

Festival and Event Planner, Stacia Bryan explained that the interpretation of many cultures in the region are brought to the forefront at Sunshine Snacks Junior Kadooment, and designers take this opportunity to tell stories in ways that children can interpret them through costume.

“Beyond the creation of costumes for the parade, the interaction between the children and the skilled artisans highlighted the intricate crafts of wire-bending and mask-making. The intention is to showcase traditional designing as a potential career path and foster a deeper connection with the artistic process and cultural heritage,” Bryan said.

Sunshine Snacks Junior Kadooment, Bryan expressed that the future of Grand Kadooment lies with the children’s interest in the junior segment. She stated that it was more than an event, but rather an investment into cultural development.

The NCF expects this year’s event to be safe and enjoyable.

The Sunshine Snacks Kadooment is the place to be next Saturday, July 15. See you at the National Botanical Gardens. (PR)

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)