Newsletter 135-Jly Aug
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The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Official Newsletter - Issue 135 -- July/August 2009 This is Carnival! by Andrea Thomas The lead up to Antigua’s Carnival since the beginning of June. This of what they could expect to hear, 2009 was jam packed with all well attended event previewed and see, over the carnival different events, the most the new and upcoming Antiguan season. popular being the Joe Mikes artists to the eager crowds that Jam session every Thursday gathered. This gave them a taste Continue on pages 19,20 Queen of Carnival (Shelana George) and her runners-up In This Issue 1. Prime Minister’s Emancipation Day Message (pages 3 & 7) 2. Antigua and Barbuda receives US$50 Million from Venezuela ( page 12) 3. Educational Past (page 18) 4. Carnival 2009 highlights (pages 1,19 & 20) Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Issue 135 - July/August 2009 a march on this basis. It may pride when one of their fellow citizens even be said that it is a does well at an international event citizen’s constitutional right to (for example Usain Bolt at the demonstrate to its recently concluded 12th IAAF World government how he/she feels Championship in Germany). Let me about prevailing issues in the quickly add, in case someone readily country. However, I was very reminds me, that our own Daniel surprised to hear of the Bailey performed exceptionally well. I presence of so many foreign know, I saw it and there I was flags being waved by beaming with so much pride as an marchers. This really set me Antiguans and Barbudans. thinking about our nationalism and the evidence But does it have to take something or lack thereof being like this to show to the world that we demonstrated at important Antiguans and Barbudans are a proud events in our nation’s recent of our country? How are we seen history. when, after the news of the latest negative incident concerning our Where do we as Antiguans nation, when we run to the nearest and Barbudans stand on this closet to hide (metaphorically issue? What is nationalism speaking of course)? and how do we see it being displayed in our everyday Let me ask my readers a few lives. Nationalism, according questions at this point: to the Stanford • Do you stand whenever the Encyclopaedia of Psychology National Anthem of Antigua “is generally used to describe two phenomena: and Barbuda is played? THE GREEN SHOOTS (1) the attitude that the members of a nation have when they care • Do you stand and OF NATIONALISM about their national identity and (2) acknowledge whenever the the actions that the members of a holders of Senior A few weeks ago I was listening to the nation take when seeking to Representatives of our nation news from home and heard a report achieve (or sustain) self- (example the Governor which provided details of a march determination. (1) raises questions General, the Prime Minister, organised by the Antigua Labour about the concept of nation (or Members of Parliament, and Party. The “White March” which took national identity), which is often Members of our Diplomatic place on the 13th August is reputed to defined in terms of common origin, have gathered around 10,000 ethnicity, or cultural ties, and while Corps etc) arrive at a supporters. Listening to the call-in an individual’s membership in a function? programme on Observer Radio in the nation is often regarded as days after, I gathered that during the involuntary, it is sometimes • Do we interrupt what we are march many persons carried flags of regarded as voluntary. (2) raises doing out of respect for the other nations in the Caribbean. That questions about whether self- representative’s presence? is when I began thinking. Would this determination must be understood have happened in any other island as involving having full statehood • Do we do our best to ensure with complete authority over and what really was the objective of that we carry the crest or flag the march? domestic and international affairs, or whether something less is of our nation with dignity and When I read of the statements of the required”. pride? some of the speakers this was indeed a march against the perceived It is always with much admiration that • When we go to an discrepancies in the last elections I observe the Jamaicans, Barbadians international event, do we and the state of the economy. One and Americans stand for the singing immediately look to see if our may grudgingly accept arguments for of their national anthems or swell with National Flag is flying Continue on page 19 2 The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Issue 135 - July/August 2009 Address to the Nation by Through Egypt, at the dawn of Hon. Baldwin Spencer ‘Antiquity’ Africa remained the leading instructor of the entire world with its art Prime Minister of of writing and architectural Antigua and Barbuda monuments such as pyramids. on Emancipation Day Therefore we are a proud people with August 1, 2009 a history that started long before our Building a good citizenry arrival as slaves in the Caribbean. Fellow citizens of Antigua and Antigua and Barbuda shares the Barbuda today August 1st 2009, vision of the African Union of ‘an th accelerated socio-economic represents the 175 anniversary of integration of the African continent the emancipation of former British which will lead to greater unity and Colonies in 1834 from the horrible and solidarity between African countries dehumanizing system of slavery. and peoples.’ As we come together to celebrate and This unity and solidarity we see as commemorate this important important if we are to identify and anniversary let us recommit ourselves advance common positions about our to ensure that this crime against existence and future as African people humanity will not be allowed to ever and African descendants. happen again. Honourable Baldwin Spencer Prime Minister of Antigua and We are keen to engage with the Barbuda As declared in the declaration coming African Union - and as the only out of a 2001 conference on anti- CARICOM country with observer shape the growth and development of racism held in Durban South Africa status to the AU – we are in the the ‘Global African Family’. “slavery and the slave trade were forefront of regional attempts to appalling tragedies…a crime against deepen social and economic ties with In this regard we will become actively humanity, and should always have continental Africa. involved in the Pan-African Parliament been so…”. which is designed to ensure the full The OECS is presently involved in participation of African peoples in Therefore celebrating our promoting formal relationships with a governance, development and Emancipation should inspire us to number of African countries and economic integration of the Continent. unite as citizens of the Caribbean to Antigua and Barbuda has presented Additionally, Antigua and Barbuda in ensure that we never allow ourselves itself as very prepared to enter and the future will also participate in the to be subjected to any form of slavery. explore new relationships with non- African Union Economic, Social, and traditional partners. Cultural Council. The theme for this 175th commemorative celebration and We think that the time has come for us Citizens and residents of Antigua and reflection is “Emancipation People” a to promote and defend development Barbuda as we commemorate and reminder that we as Africans in the goals for our countries - not only in the reflect on Emancipation 175, be not Diaspora are intrinsically linked as a region - but throughout the Diaspora. afraid to promote and teach our people with a common ancestry and children about the rich and varied culture. We have much to learn from each history of this magnificent Continent, other and much to teach each other we call Africa. Africa, the mother land of humanity is about the struggle against slavery and historically the first continent to initiate colonialism; about our struggles to Equally important is the need for us to the process of human progress. Our maintain political independence; foster a deeper knowledge of our ancestors have developed and about our present harsh engagement Story, as people of the Caribbean who mastered the art of agriculture and the with globalization and the transitions were bounded by the chains of slavery use of tools making it the birth place in capitalism – a system of economic and freed through the determination of and source of civilization. governance that has its roots deep in freedom fighters like king the torture and traffic and trade of and Court(Prince Klass), a Coromantee This is evident by the development in African people. from Africa, Tomboy, a Carpenter, and flourishing of African agriculture Hercules, Jack, Ned, Fortune, Tony, basins, the first religions and As Africans in the Diaspora it is Secundi and Jacko, all principal slave marvelous rock art and sculptures. necessary for us to take a proactive leaders in the 1736 slave plot in role in helping to build bridges and Antigua. This act of liberation was Continue on page 7 3 The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission Issue 135 - July/August 2009 Mango Fest hailed as another success by Afeefah Beharry Antiguasunonline.com The annual Mango Fest, which was held at Christian Valley, wrapped up on the 16th August after several days of fun activities that surrounded the annual festival. There were several mango competitions and other activities, which helped to bring life to the festival, besides the usual harvest of sweet Antiguan mangoes. Junior Minister of Agriculture Chanlah Codrington said he was extremely delighted to see the A variety of mangoes were on display at Mango Fest continuing support from people and he hopes that this trend mention for the work they did in This year, the organisers of Mango continues in years to come.