Minister says thanks for a good year of Culture

The Prime Minister’s Officer, Culture hosted an End of Year Mixer on Friday evening at the Barbados Museum and Historical Society at Dalkeith, St Michael.

Stakeholders from a cross-section of sectors and interest groups mixed and mingled with the sweet sounds of the steel pan in the background thanks to pannist Mark Forde.

Among those in attendance were Member of Parliament Trevor Prescod, Senator John King, Ambassador to Caricom David Comissiong, Director of the Museum and Historical Society of Barbados, Alissandra Cummins, and diplomats.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Cultural Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight said it was to simply say thanks to those who contributed to the ministry’s success.

“I want to say thanks but I also want to wish you some rest. This year has been for all of us one that has been quite hurried. We have done quite a bit wherever you sit. Perhaps it is time for us to take a breath and reflect that notion of reflection is certainly one in the context that we are seeking to make sure that we imbue.

Dr Munro-Knight said while the ministry did great work this year, the intent is not to become complacent. 

“We take a breath and relook everything that we are doing to make sure that it continues to be responsive. We are not intended, in 2023, to sit on our laurels in terms of those things that we have done and those things that can possibly be termed as successful. We will continue our process by making sure that our work continues to impact and change lives. That is our mission for 2023 that notion of being transformative. Through all of the agencies in the Division of Culture that is the theme that we will be taking forth.”

She added: “In the conversations that we had this evening, there is a need for us to make sure that our work continually impacts the communities that we directly serve. We must make sure that what we do from henceforth is grounded in community, grounded in lived experience. We must also make sure that we put our resources to bring those talents to bear.” PR