Government Information Service

by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service

A large crowd, dressed in lively colours, turned out at the Old Mill Cultural Centre on Saturday, 26th September, 2009, to witness the official opening of this year’s Independence celebrations. The thirty-first (31st) anniversary celebrations are being observed under the theme, ‘Celebrating Progress and Development’. A number of Government officials including Acting President Mr. Conrad McIntyre, Hon. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Hon. Minister for Community Development, Gender, Culture and Information, Loreen Bannis-Roberts witnessed the opening.

Delivering the welcome remarks, Chief Cultural Officer, Raymond Lawrence, said that Independence is a time of celebration where we concentrate on aspects of our life that truly identify us as Dominicans.

“Independence time is here again. A time where we focus on and celebrate things Dominican; when we continue to strengthen our sense of identity and patriotism; when we celebrate our culture, our sports, our cuisine, our Creole wear, our Creole language, our agriculture, our arts and crafts, our music, our dance, our adult, youth and children; when we give thanks to God for his gifts and blessings.”

Mr. Lawrence went on to highlight some of the major activities for this year’s celebrations. The calendar of activities can be found on the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica’s website.

In the mean time, the Hon. Minister for Community Development and Culture, Loreen Bannis-Roberts, called on Dominicans to see this year’s celebrations as a continuation of last years and that they should build upon the success of it.

“Last year’s Reunion was a major success. This year’s celebration must be seen as a continuation of the journey we started then remembering that joy must be taken in the journey itself as well as arriving at the destination.”

The Culture Minister said that the celebrations, on a whole, are significant and should be seen as an opportunity to build upon our strengths, learn from the lessons of our past and create a brighter, more prosperous future for ourselves and our children. She said that through the theme this year, we are able to examine how far we have progressed as we celebrate our achievements, use it to set new goals and try to reach for higher heights and most importantly, draw upon it to give thanks to God for all that He has done for us, as a nation.

She went on to attribute the morphing of Dominica’s Independence into something that can be set on the world’s stage to the hard work of the late Hon. Chief Minister of Dominica, Edward Leblanc.

“Over the years, Dominica’s Independence celebrations have evolved into a major Folk Festival that also incorporated the World Creole Music Festival.  With our wide range of activities and our emphasis on Creole wear, Creole food, Creole music and dance, and our emphasis on our Creole culture in general, it can certainly be said to be one of the most vibrant national celebrations in existence, worthy of being displayed on the World Stage. This has not happened by chance or co-incidence, but by careful nurturing by successive governments throughout these past 31 years, starting with the vision of our beloved national hero and first Premiere the, Hon. Edward Oliver Leblanc. Such was his love and enthusiasm for his country and culture, that his plan for these celebrations captured the imagination of an entire nation who rallied from all walks of life to give strength and meaning to the notion of nationhood and pride of country.”

The rest of the Minister's address can be found under the addresses section on the GIS Website.

The Honourable Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, in his address to declare the Independence celebrations officially open, spoke to the many Dominicans who were there and others who listened by radio on the theme of this year’s celebrations. He said that in celebrating progress, we have to reflect on the ideals and practises that brought us to where we are today.

“It is important that I touch on a practice that was at the heart and soul of the progress we have made, and the development we have achieved over the years. This practice prevailed in our rural communities at a time when they were forced to be self-reliant because of non - existent communications and transportation infrastructure.

I refer of course to ‘Koudment’ the practice where neighbours and villagers got together and volunteered time and talent in executing projects for the individual and the common good.”

He went on to state that somehow, it is that same progress which has somehow eroded the mass appeal to that communal spirit and togetherness but it is encouraging to note that the spirit still lives on in many Dominicans today.

“Ironically, the wheels of progress and development have dented the spirit of ‘Koudment’ as today many of us demand payment before we lift a finger in support of activities to improve the lives of our brothers and sisters.

However, there is a remnant that has remained faithful to the spirit of ‘Koudment’. That remnant is to be found in the hundreds of you who turn out on our National Day of Community service to willingly, freely and happily render your services in a multitude of community projects. I salute your contribution to community and national development.”

He continued by challenging Dominicans as we continue that journey of development, to pledge to work for a triumph of the mind over petty divisions, over ignorance and over insecurity and fear. He said that we should endeavour to project to the rest of the world a picture of a confident, self – assured people who affirm and support each other and who are willing to make and bear sacrifices in pursuit of the common good.

The Prime Minister said that this is not beyond the reach of any Dominican since all Dominicans display these qualities when visited with adversity and mishap that affect their community and nation. He further challenged them to kindle that flame of caring and protecting which was the lifeline of community life in the not too distant past. The Prime Minister's address can be read in full detail on the GIS Website under the section 'addresses'.

Following the official function, the crowd was treated to a number of cultural performances from various cultural groups around the island inclusive of the Sisserou Singers, Miss Wob Dwiyet 2008, Rosilia Bazil, the Karifuna Cultural group, the Capuchin and Paix Bouche cultural group among others. A web album captures the moment as they happened in pictures.

This year’s celebrations run until the 4th of November.