Family event planned to tie nation’s youth closer to their heritage
The Bahamas National Festival Commission has announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind Youth Culture Fest in Nassau this
May 1, where hundreds of youngsters will showcase indigenous costumes for locals and visitors alike.
The Youth Culture Fest will bring together nearly 24 schools and community groups in a parade at Arawak Cay set for May 1st,
2015. Chief Executive Officer of the BNFC Secretariat Roscoe Dames
said the event will bring the nation’s youth together to promote all
things Bahamian.
“We
are excited to have such an interactive showcase of indigenous material
on display in such a tangible and impactful way,” said Dames. “These
kinds of events are what the Bahamas National Festival Commission
intends to present to the country and the rest of the world.”
Youth
Culture Fest Coordinator Dr. Ann Higgins said each group that has
registered to date has committed to a membership of a minimum of 50
school-aged children. The participants will parade along a designated
route at Da Cultural Village, Western Esplanade.
Dr.
Higgins said the event has received full participation from pre-schools
to senior high schools and community groups around town, which have all
pledged to incorporate indigenous material in their costumes.
“Their
costumes will be adorned in local materials including sponge, straw,
sisal, coconut and sea grape leaves,” she added. “This event will
encourage the nation’s youth to gather together in a talented and
creative display of all things Bahamian.”
“This
Youth Culture Fest will bring a sense of self awareness and pride in
their culture and the ability to appreciate the indigenous beauty of our
culture. This is an awareness that should be instilled from a very
young age and that is what we are trying to do now.”
In a drawing set for February 25th,
2015, the schools and groups participating will be designated an island
to depict in theme and costume for the event. The drawing will be
randomly done as to encourage fair participation. The participants will
then be working with local entrepreneurs who manufacture these products
locally to supply all the necessary materials for their costume.
The event is expected to stimulate businesses that are geared towards producing indigenous Bahamian material, said Dames.
“We
are bringing all things Bahamians to the forefront in a creative
manner,” said the C.E.O. “We look forward to a successful event.”
ABOUT: The Bahamas National Festival Commission was
formed in October 2013 with a mandate to stimulate economic opportunity
for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Creative Industry
Sector, while positively and significantly impacting the country’s GDP.
