The Department of Youth and Culture, one of the most innovative and versatile agencies of the Government of Anguilla, has launched what is considered to be a unique and very informative calendar highlighting various aspects of the rich cultural life and history of the island.
The calendar, which was launched on Monday, August 18, is in fact both an artistic and cultural work which, rather than just focusing on the calendar dates of the year (August 2014 to July 2015), provides a full rundown of a host of special events occurring during that period. The pages of the calendar focus on the delightful Anguilla Summer Festival; cultural writer and poet, Mrs Patricia Adams; theatrical arts with Felix Fleming of Sunshine Theatre Company; the culinary arts industry; From Within Dance, one of Anguilla’s performing groups; Sombrero Lighthouse Station; Moonsplash with Bankie Banx; the national sport of boat-racing; a glimpse at Heritage Collection Museum, whose Curator is Mr Colville Petty; and historical buildings featuring the Ebenezer Methodist Church in Anguilla.
In addition, the Culture & Arts Calendar features historical articles as follows: Cotton and Salt by Mr Don Mitchell; Christmas in Anguilla by Marejah Smith, an aspiring Lawyer; What Makes Us Anguillian? by the late Dame Bernice Lake; The ABC of Anguilla by Mrs Patricia Adams; The Historical Past by Mr David Carty; In Remembrance of Mrs Britannia Idalia Gumbs (Bringing In The Sheaves) and When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder (a feature on the late Jeremiah Gumbs) by Mr Colville Petty; Happy Birthday Mr James Ronald Webster by Mrs Shellecia Brooks-Johnson; and Sombrero Lighthouse by Mrs Sarah Harrison. The Anguilla National Symbols also form part of the calendar.
The calendar is “a work in progress” and will be an annual publication by the Department of Youth and Culture with various news features in each edition.
In a release inviting the media to the launch of the calendar, the Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Youth and Culture stated: “The calendar was created by the Culture Division of the department and includes monthly features that reflect Anguilla’s rich art, life and culture. The physical calendar was designed by 5 Star Corp and printed by Hy-Tek Signs and Designs. Photographs were contributed by various local photographers and articles were written and contributed by many of the island’s cultural practitioners and accomplished writers. The department will make a large number of these calendars available to the public while others will be made available for purchase at various gift shops across the island. The department wishes to thank everyone who contributed to the successful completion of this project.”
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Minister of Youth and Culture, Mr Jerome Roberts, said in part: “This calendar has been a work in progress for some time, and I think the end product is one which all who will be able to put their hands on it will be totally impressed. It is a local calendar and done with Anguilla’s culture and arts in mind. The department has been working hard to see how it can continue to promote Anguilla’s culture, and this is just another avenue we are using to do exactly this.”
Director of Youth and Culture, Mr Bren Romney, said the calendar, like the summer festival, was another way to celebrate the cultural heritage of Anguilla. “The calendar is designed to educate our younger generation, and other Anguillians, who are not aware of the various aspects of our culture; to inform visitors about our island; to honour Anguillians who made significant contributions to their island, and who have already been honoured; to document and promote our cultural and arts.” Mr Romney said seventy percent of the cost of the calendar was met by the Government. The rest of the cost was met by LIME Anguilla; the Social Security Board; FirstCaribbean International Bank and Sunset Homes.
Ms Shellya Rogers, Programme Officer, in the Department’s Division of Youth, was largely responsible for the calendar. “The department is very proud of this product,” she told the media. “We wanted to ensure that it was a product that the public would appreciate and would hang on their walls; and that it would be informative. I think the department has accomplished this and the educational component is exceptional.”
