Roadtown, Tortola - Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE is encouraging residents of the Territory to learn more about local arts, craft and culture.
Speaking at the first Craft Alive at Five hosted by the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs last Friday, Honourable O’Neal expressed the hope that more people will become acquainted with the offering of the Craft Alive Village.
“It is nice to be here and to see many people are passing through Craft Alive so that they can get to know what goes on in here and they can see the exhibitions of local craft, pictures, paintings and all sorts of handicraft.”
Originally built in 2002, the Craft Alive Village is designed to showcase the work of local artisans in a central setting. “We are very proud of this place and we hope that more and more people will come, even just to find out what goes on and what it is all about,” the Premier said.
He added that the vendors and other people in the Craft Alive Village will happily welcome residents and visitors alike and share their knowledge about the unique characteristics of the Virgin Islands. “It is also here at craft alive you can meet and talk with people who know some of the history, some of the culture of the British Virgin Islands and you can get to know the people and the islands of the BVI.”
The Premier congratulated the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs for hosting the event and commended the vendors for keeping the culture of the BVI alive.
Delivering remarks at the event, Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Andrew Fahie also commended the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs for the initiative, noting that activities of this nature help to preserve culture.
“Craft Alive helps to make sure that we as a people do not forget where we came from so that we can appreciate now where we are. The Territory is still relatively young so our history is not as vast as say the United States of America but it is still as spectacular, it is still as dynamic and it is really energised, “Honourable Fahie told the gathering.
Explaining the decision to twin culture and trade through the staging of Craft Alive at Five, Director of Trade and Consumer Affairs, Ms. Lizette George said it is in keeping with the regional initiative to ensure that culture is promoted in the way that it should be and to give maximum exposure to artisans.
Ms. George pledged the full support of her department and noted too that the initiative is designed to help ensure the survival of small businesses in the increasingly challenging economic environment.
“I would like to encourage all of our vendors, all of our artisans, all of our participants to ensure that you diligently make your presentations as attractive as possible so that the persons who may look at you or view your production can be inclined to purchase and encourage others to purchase your product,” Ms. George said.
Craft Alive at Five has been endorsed by Department of Culture and Director Mrs. Luce Hodge-Smith said the significance of cultural activity should not be under-estimated because it can contribute significantly to the Territory’s economic development through the creation of jobs and preservation of traditional art forms.
Craft Alive at Five which will be held monthly is an initiative of the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs designed to offer a mix of entertainment while persons browse through the various booths at the Craft Alive Village.
British Virgin Islands News