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| United States Virgin Islands Governor Hon. Charles Turnbull, hosted the black-tie affair at Government House in St. Thomas |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, AUGUST 27TH 2006 - Three nationals of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis were among four Caribbean persons honoured Sunday in St. Thomas for their contribution to Virgin Islands-Caribbean Friendship Week
The honourees at the invitation-only black-tie affairs at Government House, hosted by USVI Governor Hon. Charles Turnbull, were Nevisian-born St. Croix Rescue Chief; Gregory Richards; Kittitian Charles Roper, considered the patriarch of Emergency Medical Services in the United States Virgin Islands; St. Kitts-born Josephine Williams, a founding member of the Friendship organization; and Agusta Henry, of Antigua, who was honoured posthumously.
Cultures of the United States Virgin Islands and island nations throughout the region are being fused together in a grand celebration with the observation of Virgin Islands-Caribbean Friendship Week activities.
Spokeswoman for the organization, Debbie Christopher, said the observation of the week began on Friday and will continue through Labor Day weekend, wrapping up in Friendship Village.
Celebrations kicked off Friday night with a grand cultural show at Island Center that featured Creole heritage dancers from St. Lucia, Dominica and the British Virgin Islands, the St. Croix Heritage Dancers as well as performances by internationally known calypsonians such as Barron, Winston So So, Pink Panther and local lyricists such as King Spade, Lady Mac and Coach.
"This would be a great experience for residents and visitors of all ages, from all islands and walks of life to enjoy the artistic talents from throughout the region," Christopher said.
Christopher said the Cultural Education Series that was being planned for the University of the Virgin Islands has been postponed, but it will be rescheduled for later this fall.
The Friendship Village, which will be held Labor Day weekend at the Agriculture Fair Grounds, will start Friday night from 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
and will continue throughout the weekend, wrapping up Monday at midnight.
~~Adz:Right~~The Sunday before Labor Day, a day of fun in the sun is planned from 1 to 6 p.m. with cultural games, displays, demonstrations and food. The highlight of the day will be a tug of war between natives of the eastern and western Caribbean.
"That is surely going to be a lot of fun, so we want people to come out and represent their islands," Christopher said.
Christopher added that the goal of the weeklong observation and celebration is to foster unity between the Caribbean and the Virgin Islands and to promote both the similarities and differences between the cultures.
