LIMEEVENTSEXTRA36 | ZiNG CARIBBEAN www.liat.com | January - February 2020
We Gatherin’!Celebrate a year of homecoming, community and development in Barbados for 2020Get ready to gather! 2020 is the year for Barbadians– and those who love Barbados – to return tothe island, to reconnect with family and friends,help redefine the national identity and invest in itsdevelopment. We Gatherin’ sweeps south across the islandduring the year, with each parish enjoying a month to showcaseits unique cuisine, sights and sounds. Events culminate in Decemberwith an ‘old time Bajan Christmas’ extravaganza. “Let us gather in2020 to have conversation, fun and fellowship, tell our story, share ourpassions, inspire each other and give back to make a difference in thecommunities that helped nurture us,” urges Prime Minister Mia AmorMottley. “Let us all work together to build the best Barbados!”BAJANS AREINVITED TO... Celebrate all things Bajan: culture,heritage, food, leaders, innovatorsand more. Nominate Barbadianswho are examples of excellence intheir community, schools, churchesand across the public and privatesector. Participate in the BarbadosHospitals national philanthropyproject by donating money, time orexpertise in the healthcare system. Attend parish events throughoutBarbados. Create events tocelebrate We Gatherin’. Engage inthe series of national conversationswith the Prime Minister. Cleanup surroundings as part of thenational beautification campaign. Plant at least two trees – the aimis to plant a million trees in 2020 aspart of the Greening of BarbadosPARISH MONTH THEMESt Lucy January FaithSt Peter February HeritageSt Thomas March NatureSt Joseph April AdventureSt John May CommunitySt George June The LandSt Philip July SugarSt Andrew August The ArtsSt James September CricketChrist Church October The SeaSt Michael November Feting & FoodNATIONWIDE 30 Nov-31 Dec Friends & Familyinitiative. Seedlings will be hatchedby the National ConservationCommission, the Ministry ofAgriculture, private nurseriesand schools, and children andcommunity groups will plant treesin schools, community spaces andthe National Botanical Gardens.BARBADIANS OFTHE DIASPORAARE INVITED TO... Come home in 2020 andreconnect with family and friendsand plan reunions. Trace familytrees by visiting the nationalarchives department and attendinggenealogy marketplaces. Giveback to Barbados by sharingknowledge and expertise inareas of interest. Invest in theBarbados Hospitals project bymaking a financial donation orgiving time and expertise to acommunity-based project. Planttwo trees as part of the nationaltree-planting campaign. Shareideas, suggestions and insights thatwill contribute to the developmentof Barbados – this may be doneonline or by participating inthe national dialogues beingchampioned by the Prime Minister.WHAT WILL BEHAPPENING?There will be a series of cultural,faith-based, food, entertainmentand sporting events throughoutthe year. Events will include majorfestivals as well as kite-flyingcompetitions, genealogy fairs,National Service Day, nationalclean-up campaigns, ideas andinvestment fora, standpipestories and heritage tours. Eachparish will showcase its uniquecharacteristics, including itsproduce, cuisine, attractions andhomegrown heroes. Communityprojects will be taking place ineach parish, as well as majormarquee events.JOIN THE DEBATEThe Prime Minister will havea series of conversations withBarbadians, especially youngpeople, through the ideas forato be held in secondary schoolsand throughout communities.These conversations will takeplace in each parish around anumber of key issues that arerelevant to the island’s social andeconomic development, and tothe fostering of a new nationalconsciousness. The Prime Ministeris keen to hear the views of youngpeople on issues of nationaland global importance and theirperceptions of Barbados todayand their recommendations for aBarbados of the future. Everyoneis encouraged to come and jointhe dialogue to assist Barbados incrafting a perfect vision for 2020and beyond. FOR INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.WEGATHERINBARBADOS.COMJanuary - February 2020 | www.liat.comZiNG CARIBBEAN | 37
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