by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Goverment Information Service
Activities to mark this year’s thirty second (32nd) Independence celebrations officially got off on Saturday, 25th September, 2010 at the Old Mill Cultural Center under the theme, ‘Creating Opportunities, Empowering Communities’. Scores of Dominicans and invited guests were gathered at the Old Mill Cultural Centre including His Excellency, Acting President of Dominica, Dr. E. I. Watty, Hon. Ministers of Culture, Youth and Sports, Justina Charles and Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs, Gloria Shillingford, Miss Dominica, Marcia Baptiste and the reigning Miss Wob Dwiyet, Samantha Yankey.
 Chief Cultural Officer,
Raymond Lawrence
In his opening remarks, Chief Cultural Officer, Raymond Lawrence called on Dominicans to re dedicate themselves to nation building and to unify ourselves for the better good of Dominica.
“With this theme in mind, we call on all Dominicans to re commit themselves this year to community and nation building. We have come a long way since Dominica became an independent nation in 1978 and Dominica still has a lot of untapped potential that we have to explore and maximise. There is still room for further growth and development and as we step into another independence season, let us also step into a new season of development for Dominica with the unity, cooperation and effort of all Dominicans.”
 Section of the Crowd gathered at the opening
Among the many activities, many of which are the traditional competitions, this year will see two new activities appearing for the first time. This includes the Coconut Exhibition at the Old Mill Cultural Centre from Monday 11th – 15th October. This exhibition will show case all products made from the coconut tree and its fruit. Also appearing for the first time is the Food Fest and Fashion Show on Friday 22nd October, 2010 at the St. Gerald’s Hall starting at 6pm. This show and festival seeks to highlight samples of Creole food and traditional and contemporary Creole wear.
The complete programme can be found on the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica’s website.
In her address at the opening ceremony, Hon. Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports, Justina Charles, in addressing the theme, said that Dominicans should see Independence time as a time to focus on the development of Dominica as it is only through a wholistic effort it can be achieved.
“It is an opportune time to assess the development of Dominica; to see how far we have come as a people and to celebrate our achievements. The development of our country cannot lay solely on the Government or the private sector or the church but with every person in this country and every child must be groomed in an enabling environment to take on that responsibility effectively.”
The Culture Minister believes that we have that ability within us to develop our communities and island home.
 Hon. Minister for Culture,
Youth and Sports,
Justina Charles
“November 3rd, 1978 meant to us, as a people, that we were capable of developing our own culture, educate and empower our people for the greater good and development of our nature isle. We recognised then, that we have the capacity to mould our young minds for continued prosperity.”
Minister Charles said that amidst the challenges in which we are confronted, we must be appreciative of our achievements. She went on to list some of these achievements.
“In the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, many opportunities have been created through the years in these three areas. In culture, many persons have received training all over the island in the various artistic and cultural expressions and as a result, there are many cultural groups now all over the island both at the schools and the various communities which are promoting our culture. The Cultural Division is also responsible for the training of in steel pan in the various parts in Dominica and the number of steel pan bands have increased from three (3) in the 1990’s to seventeen (17) in 2010.”
In the meantime, Hon. Minister for Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs, Gloria Shillingford, called on Dominicans to celebrate Independence 2010 with pride.
“Let us celebrate Independence 2010 with pride and dignity. This is the season when we enjoy, in a special way, what is truly Dominican: our sumptuous local cuisine, our colourful national wear, our infections traditional music and dances, our art and craft and our unique Creole Language. We are blessed and we are a cultural rich as a country. Therefore, we must celebrate these cultural gifts given to us by God.”
Hon. Minister for Information, Telecommunications and Constituency Empowerment, Ambrose George who represented Hon. Prime Minister, told those present that Independence is a time for soul searching.
“...What we celebrate is our national identity. Independence affords us the opportunity to re present our past, to reflect and assess our present reality and to plan for our future. It is as much a time for soul searching as it is of celebration and thanksgiving; a time of rediscovering and a time of renewal.”
Minister George went on to say that he hopes that by the time the celebrations for this year’s anniversary are completed, there will be a renewed focus among Dominicans.
“At the end of our celebrations, it is my hope that we will be all charged with a clearer vision of the road ahead and imbued with a deeper commitment to play a constructive role in the unfolding of that vision.”
 Hon. Minister for Information,
Telecommunications
and Constituency
Empowerment,
Ambrose George
Minister George said, notwithstanding the progress made, there are a few persons who sit and complain while doing nothing. If they would convert a fraction of their time towards committing to doing something positive, it will go a long way in helping further develop Dominica.
“My friends, it is people who make things happen. It is through people that improvements to community life will come about. But regrettably, there are some, albeit, a few communities where too many people sit back with their arms folded always complaining and yet they expect good things to happen. If only a small percentage of our disengaged villagers will resolve, after the celebrations and reflections of Independence 2010 to turn a new leaf and become more active participants in the life of their community, then you will have made a quantum leap forward in building a more authentic Independence.”
Hon. George was pleased to see that eleven of the activities for this year’s celebrations will cater directly for the youth. He encouraged the youth to take advantage of these opportunities as it will only aid in advancing their own personal independence.
“I encourage all young persons to become absorbed in the celebrations and to do so in a manner that preserves their dignity. I would urge them to allow their participation in Independence 2010 to be a platform for building their own personal independence; an independence that they will never be able to lose if its ingredients are knowledge, experience and ability.”
A number of groups performed at Saturday’s opening including Dominica’s lady of song, Ophelia Marie, Miss Dominica, Marcia Baptiste, St. Luke’s Primary School, Flamboyant Dancers, among others. The 2010 Miss Wob Dwiyet contestants also made an appearance. A picture album captures the moment as it happened. |
