Culture

Theatre Arts finalists showdown

Creatives will take to the stage next week

Lovers of theatre arts are in for a treat during this month of celebrations for Independence and Republic Day.

The National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) Performing Arts competition is into its final stages. And on Tuesday, November 14, starting at 7 p.m., patrons who converge on the Frank Collymore Hall will be regaled by some of the best performing talent the country has to offer.

The National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) Theatre Arts officer Janelle Mitchell indicated that the fine-tuning and final phase of the various works had been going very well and she expected that patrons would find the showcase of talent to be very exciting and entertaining.

She noted that there would be a number of performances from school entrants at both the primary and secondary level. There will also be performances from adults. Community groups will also be featured. Among the categories to be showcased will be spoken word as well as short plays.

“There are works drawn from several areas; how we are treated as individuals, COVID-19-related stress, issues such as racism, mental health, that internal voice,” she explained, noting that the theme of ‘Voices’ would be evident in many of the works.

With NIFCA celebrating 50 years of excellence, Mitchell highlighted that this year would be a special one for Roland Edwards Primary’s principal George Francis.

He has been among the longest participants in NIFCA, taking part since 1979. Francis, who is nearing his retirement, has both written and directed artistic works over four decades. As usual, his school will be among those taking to the stage.

Mitchell explained that the NCF’s contribution to the arts extended beyond NIFCA and noted that aspiring performers were assisted in many ways through the Foundation’s Business Development Office.

She noted that creatives were helped in marketing their works outside of the island and this involved funding. She added that development programmes were also available to aid persons in drama, dance and theatre, among other areas.

The cultural officer also indicated that NIFCA offered a further development component to prospective creatives.

“You can get training and if your work doesn’t advance in the festival in a particular year, that same piece can be entered the following year,” she said.

Finalists in stage next week are: Milton Lynch Primary, Roland Edwards Primary, Reynold Weekes Primary, Deighton Griffith Secondary, La Shawna Griffith, Alister Alexander, Cyndi Marshall (Cyndi Celeste), Akeem Chandler-Prescod (Stoned with Cupid), Theo Greenidge, Nikolai Worrell and Natalie Thornhill, Sandra Squires, NH Productions.

This year there will be a number of awards up for grabs. The Prime Minister’s Scholarship which is sponsored by the Prime Minister’s Office, is worth $35,000, for tertiary studies at any Caribbean Arts institution. Two scholarships will be on

offer across all categories of NIFCA.

The NIFCA Earl Warner Prize comprising a trophy and a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the director of the Most Promising Theatre piece. The Daphne Joseph-Hackett Award of Excellence in the form of $3,000 and a trophy is also up for grabs. Other prizes include The Bruce St. John Award of Excellence in Speech which is $3,000 and a trophy.

Among this year’s new awards will be The Alfred Pragnell Challenge Shield for Acting that takes the form of a scholarship worth $2, 000 applied to the cost of tuition for studies in drama/theatre or culture at an approved institution.

Another initiative this year is the Barbados Community College Scholarships. These are two scholarships offered towards training in the Associate Degree programme in Theatre worth $3, 000 each. (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)