Proud Vincentians display their heritage through Kingstown

Under the theme: “Vincy Pride”, the National Secondary Schools Miss Heritage Committee, in collaboration with the Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Girls’ High School (GHS) and the Ministry of Culture held the National Heritage Cultural Parade on Wednesday.{{more}}

Now in its second year, the parade got underway shortly after 2 p.m. from the Kingstown Netball Centre at New Montrose, with students from various secondary and primary institutions, marching through the streets of Kingstown, some decked in creative garb with the national colours.

From Grenville to Halifax street, cameras and video cameras were seen all around, recording and taking photographs of the colourful display those in the march had to offer.

Before converging at Heritage Square for a mini concert, onlookers had the chance to see masqueraders, athletes, musicians, dancers, drummers and steelpan music.

Among those marching were former Minister of Culture René Baptiste, Headmistress of the Girls’ High School Andrea Bowman, Derry Williams of the Bank of SVG, Laverne Velox of the St Vincent Co-operative Bank, Elvis Charles of the Ministry of Culture and Miss SVG 2012, Carice Glasgow.

Addressing the gathering at Heritage Square, Williams said he is very pleased to be partnering with the GHS and the Ministry of Culture in bringing the event to Vincentians.

“While looking at the parade last year, I thought it was such a profound thing for them to be involved in…,” Williams said.

He noted that it is important for Vincentians to understand what our heritage means to us. “Every year we celebrate Independence and I think more and more, we have to try to understand what it truly means to be Vincy.”

Also sharing brief remarks, Laverne Velox said the St Vincent Cooperative Bank is happy to partner with the GHS and the Ministry of Culture to bring a spectacular event to the people of SVG, three days before the country celebrates its 33rd year of independence.

“We at the SVG Co-Operative Bank Ltd. are proud to be associated with the national cultural parade, which provides an additional platform for talented Vincentians to display their craft,” she said.

Headmistress of the GHS, Andrea Bowman said, in the face of the global economic crisis, two of this country’s indigenous banks have tangibly demonstrated their commitment to a celebration of what makes us proud to be Vincentians.

Bowman thanked the several sponsors for their support and stated that she loved the “energy” and “enthusiasm” of the young participants of the event.

Brief remarks were also delivered by Senator Charles.

The event also saw this country’s road march, calypso, ragga soca monarch, Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd being presented with a gift for her contribution to music.

Performances on the day came from the Avenue dancers, Mustique Primary School, United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn, Vibrating Scakes, Fya Empress, Arabesque Dance Company among others.(KW)