Culture

NIFCA Gala to celebrate 50 years of excellence

After several weeks of exciting, intense and thought-provoking displays of talent, the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) climaxes with a grand celebration of 50 years at Sunday’s NIFCA Performing Arts Gala: Barabajan.

The grand finale, will showcase some award-winning pieces from the best of the best and a theatrical presentation. The marque event, a production of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), promises to be a night of excellence that will thoroughly entertain Barbadians of all ages when it comes off at the Wildey Gymnasium, Garfield Sobers Sports Complex beginning at 6 p.m.

Producer of the Gala, NCF Theatre Arts Officer Janelle Mitchell expressed pride about the caliber of the programme and the line-up of acts. The Gala, which is celebrating NIFCA’s 50^th anniversary, will be executed in two parts.

The first half is titled: 50 Years of Excellence and will highlight a cadre of the top award-winning pieces from over the festival’s 50 years in Dance, Music, Spoken Word, Literary Arts, and mixed disciplines. Expected to wow are the likes of: The Most Honourable Anthony ‘Gabby’ Carter, Winston Farrell, Adrian Green, Yolande Capandeguy, Jennifer Walker, Dancin’ Africa, Cherie Jones, the Pinelands Creative Workshop and some of this season’s showstoppers.

The second half is called Barabajan, and is a full theatrical presentation celebrating the late Barbadian literary giant, Kamau Brathwaite’s work.

The artistic director is Cecily Spencer-Cross, Levi King is the director; Musical Director – Lowrey Worrell, Director of Choreography – Olivia Hall and the Set Designer is Mark Maynard. The cast of talented actors are: Yolanda Capandeguy, Sonia Williams, Janine White, Jennifer Walker, Neil Waithe, Ayele Matthias and Mikhail Prescod.

Inviting the public’s support, Mitchell said that based on the level of talent displayed throughout the NIFCA season, patrons can be assured of immense brilliance on Sunday evening.

“This year we saw a lot of thought-provoking pieces really looking at our culture, mental health, how we process our emotions – that came out of all the Performing Arts whether that was Music, Dance or Theatre.

“So, I really think that COVID impacted our creativity and it allowed those who maybe never thought about performing to explore their submerged talents. Hence, we saw a lot of first timers entering. . . and it was very good to see them, as well as seasoned persons, coming out to showcase high levels of talent again,” she said.

Reflecting on NIFCA’s 50 years of excellence, Mitchell argued that the festival’s role in the Barbadian landscape cannot be overstated and she believes that it augurs well for NIFCA and the island’s future into another 50 years.

She said: “Where we are heading as we look to include digital media and all these other avenues, it speaks to the development of the arts and where we can head from now.

“This year is very nostalgic; some of everybody has a NIFCA story and this is what is making the festival even more seminal. I think that NIFCA has been extremely pivotal in shaping our creative artists in all the Performing Arts and other disciplines over the 50 years. Indeed, it has helped to shape our national identify,” Mitchell added.

This year several new top awards were introduced across the genres of the NIFCA Performing Arts, these include: The Emile Straker Award for the best locally written, arranged and performed folk selection; The NIFCA Earl Warner Prize; The Alfred Pragnell Challenge Shield for Acting; The Gene Carson Award of Excellence for the highest scoring Junior entry achieving a score of 91% or greater in NIFCA Dance Finals; the Barbados Community College Scholarships, along with the 50^th Anniversary of NIFCA Awards. (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)