The Department of Youth and Culture (DYC) is set to host, for the first time, what is being dubbed: Malliouhana Fest. This is a series of cultural and arts activities which will take place island-wide from December 18th to December 21st, 2020.
In a press briefing, last Monday, officials of the Department revealed the programme of activities that comprises to this new cultural feature which is expected to create some Christmas cheer for the festive season, as well as highlight an extended celebration of the traditional Heroes and Heroines Day.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development and Education, Dr. Bonnie Richardson Lake, said that she considered Malliouhana Fest a great opportunity to highlight Anguilla’s cultural heritage. “It should be good fun,” she said, “and we at the Ministry are committed to supporting our cultural development.”
Director of Youth and Culture, Ms. Avon Carty, explained: “Over the years, various members of staff at the Department of Youth and Culture have had different festivals to celebrate and commemorate Anguillla’s history and culture — in light of what used to be Separation Day, now known as Heroes and Heroines Day. We thank those who have spearheaded celebrative events before us. People like the late Ms. Ijahnya Christian and Mrs. Shellya Rogers-Webster are to be applauded for the efforts they made in promoting our culture to make this day special.
“This year, we are standing upon the work that our predecessors have done. We are putting different elements together in what we are calling Malliouhana Fest. This event will bring to the fore activities like: a roadshow; our culture and art awards, which is in its fifth year now; a new feature called Jazz on the Lawn; and an art walk. These activities should go a long way in helping our people to say that they have had something really cultural and artistic to mark Heroes and Heroines Day.”
Senior Programme Officer, Ms. Tiffany Rogers, gave a rundown of the four-day period of activities: “The purpose of Malliouhana Fest is to make sure that we reach out to the entire population on Anguilla as well as our visitors who would be on island for the period December 18th to December 21st. Malliouhana Fest is destined to boost our national pride. Our tourists are then likely to feel our pride and partake in it with us.
“The first event, which is ‘Culture on the Road’, was initiated by former Senior Programme Officer, Mrs. Shellya Rogers-Webster, a few years ago. This will take place on Friday, December 18th, beginning at 9:30 a.m. It will feature a moving float of cultural music. The float will take the route from the Scouts and Guides Gazebo directly to West End.
“Stops will be made at the Bedny’s Well and at Best Buy West, and on the way back up a stop will be made at the South Hill Community Field. The roadshow then proceeds to the eastern end of the island, through Stoney Ground, Shoal Bay and Island Harbour, and down through the Long Road. Stops will be made at the Island Harbour Wharf and at Best Buy East. We will then make it back into The Valley, and by 5:00 p.m. the last stop will be made at The Strip where we will stage some entertainment.”
She then described the activities for Saturday, December 19th, saying: “On this day, we will conduct the usual Annual Culture Awards Ceremony. This has been an ongoing event, over the years, where we honour our national heroes and heroines. Persons to be awarded will be nominated for the work they have done in helping to build our country in the areas of culture and creativity. Individuals from the general public are encouraged to nominate anyone whom they deem worthy of these awards.”
“This is a free event,” she noted. “It will be held at the Santorini Restaurant at Resort & Residences by CuisinArt, and it will officially start at 7:00 p.m.
“On Sunday, December 20th, there will be an art walk called ‘Leh We Roam’. This will be held at the Raymond E. Guishard Football Stadium from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. It is an idea that was discussed with me since as far back as 2017 by the now Parliament Secretary Ms. Quincia Gumbs-Marie. This art walk is where ‘creatives will rise’. We would expect all artists to showcase their talents. So far we have about 31 artists registered, and we would very much like both residents and visitors to come out and support them.”
“Finally, on Monday, December 21st,” she continued, “we will be doing an event called ‘Tranquil’. It will be an airing of jazz music from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. on the lawn. This will be held on the playing field of the Raymond E. Guisahard Football Stadium. We are encouraging those attending to bring their blankets and join us on the field for a relaxing afternoon of tranquil jazz and contemporary music. We will be featuring artists like Sprocka, Steel Brass and Blues, Planet Shifters, Gershwin Lake and KeneejaThomas.” Ms. Rogers stated that due to the time and the type of event, small bites of light food will be on sale.
She thanked her team comprising Programme Officer, Kemoloy Murphy, and Programme Assistant, Kalyn Mairyshaw, who worked with her, tirelessly, in organising the Malliouhana Fest Programme. She also expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the four-day event.
The gold sponsor for Malliouhana Fest is National Bank of Anguilla (NCBA), while the platinum sponsor is “IN Anguilla” whose proprietor is Mr. Gilbert ‘GAF’ Fleming. Representing NCBA at the meeting was Marketing Consultant, Mr. Ivan Connor. He stated: “I would like to reaffirm NCBA’s position in this venture. We are committed and leading the way. Events such as this cater to the Anguillian public, in general, and they are avenues that showcase our talents and what we have to offer. As an indigenous bank, these are things that NCBA are happy to champion, and so we are delighted to be on board with Malliouhana Fest.”
Mr. ‘GAF’ Fleming then said: “We will be there doing what we do best, as usual. Of course, we are happy to play a part in this event. We have always regarded culture as one of the pillars of our development. My son, Garian, and I are, indeed, happy to be involved in Malliohana Fest.”
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
