Pictured above Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Dwight Sutherland ( at right ) throws the switch along with Executive Director and General Manager of Sagicor Life Inc. Paul Inniss, earlier today
As seasonal lights were switched on Monday evening, Community Empowerment Minister Dwight Sutherland declared that a more resilient community can emerge from the last 20 months of challenges.
In the featured speech of the 25th annual Sagicor Lighting Ceremony held to mark the start of Barbados’ month-long independence celebrations, Sutherland said: “It is abundantly clear that community spirit has never been so important in our history as a time like now, when Barbadians are adjusting and adapting to a COVID-19 environment that has upended our quality of life for the past 20 months.
“However, we must not lose ourselves as we fight this pandemic, but we must find safe ways of showing our families, friends and neighbours that our collective needs can be met through commitment and togetherness.
“The challenge, therefore, is for each and every Barbadian to determine how we can mobilise our communities to become
more resilient. I contend that community spirit is the cornerstone of building resilience and creating stronger communities and as a result, a stronger, more supple Barbados.”
Reflecting on the theme of this year’s Community Independence Celebrations, which is “Rebuilding our nation . . . Embracing our Heritage”, Sutherland said Barbadian youth had a major role to play in the
rebuilding process.
“Our young people must be at the centre of rebuilding our nation,” he told the ceremony. They must be the new drivers of our transformation, and it is our duty to provide them with the tools and skills necessary to elevate Barbados to the next level. They can reflect on the symbolism of these lights as a powerful force to understand the virtues of striving for the good of all people irrespective of race, religion, gender, or political affiliation.”
Under coronavirus restrictions on gathering in public places and amid the worst wave of the pandemic so far, this year’s ceremony was done in a virtual format via the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation rather than in Heroes Square in Bridgetown.
National Coordinator of the Community Independence Celebrations Secretariat Jessica Parris said the new format should not in any way diminish the significance of the event and should be used as a time “for Barbadians to reflect and thank God for the leaders and those who have worked in our communities over the years to bring us to where we are today.
“We must pool our resources to ensure that Barbados remains a safe, happy and healthy place to live”.
Touching on Sutherland’s comments on community spirit, Parris said that Community Service Days are being held in each parish, during which clean-up campaigns are carried out and food hampers are distributed to needy families among other activities.
The entertainment aspect of the lighting ceremony featured some of the better performances in music, dance, poetry and drama drawn from the shows held over the last 25 years. (SB) FROM BARBADOS TODAY ONLINE.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Dwight Sutherland ( at right ) after he threw the switch along with Executive Director and General Manager of Sagicor Life Inc. Paul Inniss, ( at left ) and Dwight Sutherland Junior in centre of the picture.
