BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE fifth instalment of the Federation’s annual History and Heritage Week of Activities was officially launched over the weekend by Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas.
PM Douglas appeared on ZIZ television and radio on Saturday (Feb. 13) to declare the week open, while Premier Hon. Joseph Parry gave remarks at an opening ceremony the following day on Nevis.
Held every year from the third week of February, H&H week is organised by the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society (BHFNPS) and sponsored by the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Ltd. According to organisers, the initiative is aimed at promoting and stimulating greater awareness of and involvement in national history and heritage by citizens.
For the first time, activities will extend over two weeks under the theme “The role of History and Heritage in Nation-Building”. Some new items on the agenda include an Open Mike Stand and Deliver Concert in Nevis and a Gala Concert of calypso, reggae, hip-hop and gospel at the Brimstone Hill Fortress.
Among the many featured and well-established activities are a primary school quiz competition (financed partially by the Rotary Club of Liamigua), a food fair at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, the Back to Roots Cultural and Beauty Pageant, and a history and heritage hike.
There will also be the usual public lectures, roundtable discussions and addresses to students, which will be conducted by noted Barbadian scholar and writer, Robert Morris.
Speaking to SKNVibes, BHFNPS President Sir Probyn Innis spoke about the impact H&H week has had on the Federation.
“We have had not the feedback from the Ministry of Education or civic society, but based on what we have observed, there is a greater interest in history and heritage. More persons have asked us for information related to those issues,” the historian noted, before adding that it was still not as developed as he would like.
“People don’t read enough about our local history and heritage. The society would like to see persons be more concerned about their legacy, with protecting and conserving it, and with promoting and taking ownership of it.”
Innis also expounded on the 2010 theme, highlighting its strong focus on national development and advancement.
“History and heritage play a pivotal role in nation-building; they are critical for individual and national development. In our history, we were not taught about nation-building. As a colony, we were taught about Mother England, not nurtured into becoming a self-respecting independent nation.
“Through knowledge of our history and heritage, we can begin to build ourselves into that type of country,” he stated, adding, “That’s why this week, particularly this year, is more important than ever.”
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