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We Gatherin’!
Celebrate a year of homecoming, community and development in Barbados for 2020
Get ready to gather! 2020 is the year for Barbadians
– and those who love Barbados – to return to
the island, to reconnect with family and friends,
help redefine the national identity and invest in its
development. We Gatherin’ sweeps south across the island
during the year, with each parish enjoying a month to showcase
its unique cuisine, sights and sounds. Events culminate in December
with an ‘old time Bajan Christmas’ extravaganza. “Let us gather in
2020 to have conversation, fun and fellowship, tell our story, share our
passions, inspire each other and give back to make a difference in the
communities that helped nurture us,” urges Prime Minister Mia Amor
Mottley. “Let us all work together to build the best Barbados!”
BAJANS ARE
INVITED TO...
Celebrate all things Bajan: culture,
heritage, food, leaders, innovators
and more. Nominate Barbadians
who are examples of excellence in
their community, schools, churches
and across the public and private
sector. Participate in the Barbados
Hospitals national philanthropy
project by donating money, time or
expertise in the healthcare system.
Attend parish events throughout
Barbados. Create events to
celebrate We Gatherin’. Engage in
the series of national conversations
with the Prime Minister. Clean
up surroundings as part of the
national beautification campaign.
Plant at least two trees – the aim
is to plant a million trees in 2020 as
part of the Greening of Barbados
PARISH MONTH THEME
St Lucy January Faith
St Peter February Heritage
St Thomas March Nature
St Joseph April Adventure
St John May Community
St George June The Land
St Philip July Sugar
St Andrew August The Arts
St James September Cricket
Christ Church October The Sea
St Michael November Feting & Food
NATIONWIDE 30 Nov-31 Dec Friends & Family
initiative. Seedlings will be hatched
by the National Conservation
Commission, the Ministry of
Agriculture, private nurseries
and schools, and children and
community groups will plant trees
in schools, community spaces and
the National Botanical Gardens.
BARBADIANS OF
THE DIASPORA
ARE INVITED TO...
Come home in 2020 and
reconnect with family and friends
and plan reunions. Trace family
trees by visiting the national
archives department and attending
genealogy marketplaces. Give
back to Barbados by sharing
knowledge and expertise in
areas of interest. Invest in the
Barbados Hospitals project by
making a financial donation or
giving time and expertise to a
community-based project. Plant
two trees as part of the national
tree-planting campaign. Share
ideas, suggestions and insights that
will contribute to the development
of Barbados – this may be done
online or by participating in
the national dialogues being
championed by the Prime Minister.
WHAT WILL BE
HAPPENING?
There will be a series of cultural,
faith-based, food, entertainment
and sporting events throughout
the year. Events will include major
festivals as well as kite-flying
competitions, genealogy fairs,
National Service Day, national
clean-up campaigns, ideas and
investment fora, standpipe
stories and heritage tours. Each
parish will showcase its unique
characteristics, including its
produce, cuisine, attractions and
homegrown heroes. Community
projects will be taking place in
each parish, as well as major
marquee events.
JOIN THE DEBATE
The Prime Minister will have
a series of conversations with
Barbadians, especially young
people, through the ideas fora
to be held in secondary schools
and throughout communities.
These conversations will take
place in each parish around a
number of key issues that are
relevant to the island’s social and
economic development, and to
the fostering of a new national
consciousness. The Prime Minister
is keen to hear the views of young
people on issues of national
and global importance and their
perceptions of Barbados today
and their recommendations for a
Barbados of the future. Everyone
is encouraged to come and join
the dialogue to assist Barbados in
crafting a perfect vision for 2020
and beyond.
FOR INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.WEGATHERINBARBADOS.COM
January - February 2020 | www.liat.com
ZiNG CARIBBEAN | 37