ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, March 30th, 2012 – Residents can continue to contribute to the creation of a Territorial Song and Dress as the Ministry of Education and Culture has extended the deadline for the competition until Friday, April 13.

In conjunction with the ad-hoc Committee on Territorial Song and Dress, the Ministry will visit the sister islands of Jost Van Dyke, Anegada and Virgin Gorda on April 2, 3 and 4 respectively to directly engage residents with the competition. Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn said, “It is important that all stakeholders are given equal access to contribute to this competition. Wide consultation from the sister islands is needed to ensure that their views are duly considered.”

Speaking with the Department of Information and Public Relations, Minister Walwyn commended the committee for the work they are doing on a volunteer basis to ensure that the competition is a success. He said, they have worked, “exceptionally well, very diligently and are committed to the cause.”

Highlighting the benefits of a Territorial Song and Dress to the Virgin Islands the Education Minister said, “As we continue to grow as a Territory and build our national pride, we have to carve out and showcase the identity of who we are as a people. This will cause a strong message to resonate among us and bind us.”

He added, “Knowing the historic and cultural past from which we bloomed, will give us a strong footing in today’s world that can only motivate and build our spirit to enhance national pride.”

The Minister noted that due to the Territory’s geographically location, “We are heavily influenced by an American culture, which has its benefits and disadvantages but if we know who we are as a people, we will be properly grounded. The creation of a Territorial Dress and Song will help to secure that.”

Entries for the Territorial Dress Competition are asked to contain the following colours: Red representing the feisty Virgin Islander’s nature; White to portray the beaches; Blue for the Caribbean Sea; Green depicting verdant hills and Yellow for the rising sun. Submissions can be made by drawings or with a sample.

Female attire must include a head tie; a skirt - patterned with segments of Virgin Islands culture; a blouse and a petticoat. Male attire must include a shirt, sash and pants.

Shoes can be black or white for both men and women. Cultural images to be considered for the female skirt can include Virgin Islands sloops, straw plaiting and/or scratch bands.

Participants of the Territorial Song Competition should create lyrics or words to reflect BVI Heritage and Culture, with or without music. It should be two or three verses in length.

All submissions should include the name of the applicant, gender, age and contact information. Deadline for submission for both Territorial Dress and Song entries is Friday, April 13, 2012.

Submit entries to the Department of Culture, 2nd Floor Ward’s Building in Road Town in a sealed envelope marked Confidential. For more information contact the Department of Culture at 468-4373.

The development of a Territorial song and dress is in keeping with Government’s commitment to preserve, enhance and promote the Virgin Islands cultural identity.

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