From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Creative Nassau Unveils the Official UNESCO Creative City Logo
By Pamela Burnside
Mar 19, 2015 - 9:27:23 PM
Creative Nassau (CN), along with members of the Downtown Nassau
Partnership (DNP), proudly unveiled the Official UNESCO Creative City
Logo for the City of Nassau. Our capital obtained the designation
“Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts” on December 1, 2014 from
Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, who welcomed the City of
Nassau as a member of the prestigious Creative Cities Network comprising
69 cities all around the world. The brief ceremony was held in Pompey
Square as a part of the monthly Creative Nassau Market and during the
launching of Bahamas Revisited, a new Bahamian excursion company headed
by young entrepreneur Steven Cartwright.
“This is another
proud moment for Creative Nassau’s members: Dr Nicolette Bethel, John
Cox, Dr Davidson Hepburn, Patricia Glinton-Meicholas, Paulette Mortimer,
Quentin ‘Barabbas’ and Maureen Woodside, Rosemary Hanna, Royann Dean,
Sonia Farmer, Vaughn Roberts and Yvette Rolle and myself,” stated
Co-Founder Pam Burnside, “and an amazing accomplishment for the City of
Nassau as well as for all of the citizens of The Bahamas who can benefit
from placing a stronger focus on creativity in The Bahamas tourism
product.
Mrs Burnside noted that a greater focus on Creative
Tourism would place Bahamian creativity at center stage and foster a
number of positive social and economic developments. “We, the members of
Creative Nassau, believe strongly that pursuing the creative tourism
model would enhance awareness, appreciation and celebration of our arts,
culture and heritage, encourage entrepreneurship and pride in what we
do and produce, develop self-empowerment and employment at all economic
and social levels and greatly contribute to increasing Bahamian exports
and diversifying and strengthening our economy overall.”
Ms.
Vernice Walkine, Co-Chair of the DNP remarked: “These opportunities to
distinguish our city as a destination of more than Sun, Sand and Sea are
crucial as we create a national identity. The history of crafts and
folk art are a tremendous way to continue to have our story told and
shared. I congratulate the team who has worked tremendously to receive
this designation for the City of Nassau.”
Mr. Charles
Klonaris, another DNP Co-Chair added: “As the city of Nassau goes
through our revitalization, it is important that we acknowledge the
significance of partnerships across the world, and how we must leverage
them as we become a better city. We must also be reminded of the aspects
of our country that are unique. This recognition by UNESCO showcases
that our city is a strong destination for Crafts and Folk Art. It has
been a part of our history, and will be a significant part of our
future.”
“The success Creative Nassau has enjoyed to date
is a fitting example of the power of the people. We, the people can
make positive things happen without government assistance if we believe
in ourselves, insist on honesty and excellence and continue to work
together as a community to make things happen. We applaud the amazing
artisans and entrepreneurs who joined us for the logo unveiling today,
and the thousands of others in
our country, as we carry out our
mission statement to “promote and celebrate Bahamian Art, Culture and
Heritage from the Inside Out,” Mrs Burnside said.
The
Creative Nassau team also thanked their partners for the six year
journey, which led to the award of the UNESCO designation: His
Excellency, Sir Arthur Foulkes, Dr Leon Higgs of the Bahamas National
Commission for UNESCO, our Mayor, Gevon Moss and the members of the
Downtown Nassau Partnership, Silbert Ferguson of The Junkanoo
Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) as well as those fellow Members of
the Creative Cities Network who endorsed their application from the
Cities of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Paducah, Kentucky U.S.A.; Kanazawa,
Japan; Aswan, Egypt; Fabriano, Italy; and Icheon, Korea, along with
their many supporters who have constantly encouraged and assisted them
in their efforts, particularly Clare Sands of The Plait Lady and Beverly
Taylor of Harl Taylor BAG. Special mention was made of CN sponsors
Cable Bahamas Cares Foundation, The Counsellors Ltd, Kevin Turnquest of
Vaudio Productions, and Charles Carter of Island FM 102.9.
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