Caribbean Times 96th Issue - Monday 13th February 2017

4 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Monday 13th February 2017
Focus on historical landmarks
The Cultural Division
is aiming to educate young
people about historical landmarks
in Antigua and over
in Barbuda in its first staging
of Antigua History Week
(AHW) now in progress.
The event was kicked off
with the Governor General,
Sir Rodney and Lady Sandra
Williams accompanied by
senior officials of the Ministry
of Culture and National
Festivals attending a church
service at the Precision Centre
on Sunday.
Culture Minister, E.P
Chet Greene said the aim
of the inaugural AHW is to
focus attention on historical
landmarks and teach young
people about their significance
and what they meant
to their forefathers.
“AHW was created to
showcase and highlight Antiguans
and Barbudans significant
contributions to our
development. This year, the
focus is on historical landmarks
and why these places
are of importance to us as a
people,” Greene stated.
The minister recalled
that he had earlier given a
commitment to strengthen
and preserve the cultural
heritage of the country and
the celebration of AHW is a
realization of that commitment.
He drew reference to
one event during the week –
the display of chanting and
drumming by the Nyabinghi
Theocracy Order at Table
Hill Garden on Tuesday as
something of importance to
the country’s African ancestry.
He said the drums were/
are used in African societies
to communicate messages
and to celebrate events such
as weddings and deaths etc.
“Getting an appreciation of
the drums and their various
usages is very important for
our people. I wish to extend
an invitation to all to journey
to Table Hill Gardens,
Liberta, on Tuesday to experience
to cultural display,”
he urged.
Greene remarked that
the country needs to make
serious efforts to recapture
elements of the nation’s culture
that is either lost or in
danger of losing as a result
of neglect or the failure to
pass on the knowledge and/
or skills to the upcoming
generations.
Deputy Director of Culture,
Gilbert Laudat said
during this week a number
of individuals will visit
secondary schools to give
historical presentations to
the students. These individuals
include Joy Lawrence,
Dorbrene O’Marde, Alister
Thomas, Saiid Greene, Lionel
Max Hurst and Monica
Isaac.
The landmarks identified
for special focus include
Betty’s Hope, Devil’s
Bridge, Nelson’s Dockyard,
Clarence House, Monks Hill
and Boggy Peak among others.
Laudat said Barbuda has
not been left out as a speaker
will also journey over to the
Sir McChesney George Secondary
school for a lecture
to the students.