The celebration culminated with a touching surprise, when the Venezuelan Chargé D’Affaires, Martha Ortega Peraza and the laureate Barbadian plastic arts artist, David “Guru” McClean presented a tribute from the people of Venezuela to the people of Barbados, in the person of its most important singer-songwriter Mighty Gabby, consisting of an artistic piece made by Guru, which included the first guitar with which the artist received his first music lessons, around 1954, from McClean’s father. In tears of joy, quite surprised and moved, “Mighty Gabby” humbly thanked such a significant
gift expressing that it was the best night of his life. Pictured above after the presentation is at Left Ambassador of Barbados to CARICOM, David Comissiong; guitarist Mike Sealy; the Honorable Dr. Anthony “Mighty Gabby” Carter and Venezuelan Chargé D’Affaires, Martha Ortega.
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VENEZUELA AND BARBADOS CELEBRATE 53RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
On the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Barbados, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Culture Division of the Prime Minister Office, the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados and the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Barbados held an event on Friday, September 30, at the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theater, Queen’s
Park, Bridgetown.
The event which was attended by close to 200 people was grace with the presence of the Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Business Development, Sandra Husbands, Special Advisor for Culture and Heritage, Senator John King; Parliamentarian Trevor Prescod, Special Envoy for Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement, the Clerk of Parliament, Corey Layne, the Ambassador of Barbados to CARICOM, David Comissiong, among other high authorities of the Barbadian Government, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of social movements, members of the Venezuelan
Diaspora, students of the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation, among others.
The ceremony was opened by the Barbadian artist, President of the Pan-African Coalition of Organizations (PACO) and Pastor, Onkphra Wells, who blessed those present and the fruitful relationship between the peoples and governments of both countries.
Next, the Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Business Development of Barbados, Sandra Husbands, in her remarks said that Venezuela was the first country in Latin America to establish a diplomatic mission in her country and the fourth to establish diplomatic relations once independence was achieved. Minister Husbands pointed out that one of the most significant milestones achieved during these 53 years has been the creation of the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation (IVCC), which has
been teaching the Spanish language and Venezuelan culture to more than 10,000 Barbadians for 44 years.
“I applaud the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for its continued commitment to sharing the Spanish language with the people of Barbados” she said, while expressing her interest in becoming a student of the IVCC by next January. The Minister assured that Barbados will continue its friendship with Venezuela and expressed her best wishes for the continued well-being of its people.
Embajada de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela en Barbados
Following, the Venezuelan Chargé D’Affaires, Martha Ortega, affirmed that Venezuela will continue to work with Barbados to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood they share and recognized the importance Barbados has played in the region in protecting the principles of respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela.
“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela celebrates this milestone between our countries pledging to remain firm in strengthening South-South relations, solidarity and integration with a view to the effective implementation of a multipolar world,” she said.
The Head of the Venezuelan diplomatic mission asked for a minute of silence for the life of the late Robert “Bobby” Clarke, honorable Barbadian and staunch supporter and comrade of Venezuela, who played a key role during the Grenada revolution and who dedicated his life to the defense of socialism and anti-imperialist struggle.
Senator King, who was in charge for the government of Barbados of the organization of the celebration, highlighted in his remarks the importance of the cultural exchange between both countries, the contributions in the study of Spanish and the music classes of which he himself is part of.
David Comissiong, Ambassador of Barbados to Caricom, made a detailed description of the recent history of Venezuela and the importance of the leadership of Commander Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution, emphasizing the Venezuelan solidarity with the region in spite of being under a vicious multiform attack by the imperialist hegemonic powers, expressing admiration for the resistance and firmness of the Venezuelan people and government in this situation.
The event featured a performance by the S-T-N (Signal to Noise) percussion ensemble formed in the summer of 2020 through a collaboration of the Center for Hybrid Studies of Barbados, the Embassy of Venezuela and Manuel Moreno of Herencia Patarumba (Venezuelan Master Percussionist) and was composed of boys and girls between 8 and 16 years of age, some of whom are visually and hearing impaired. The current group has 9 boys and girls. The reactivation of the group counts with the tutelage of Tremaine
Murray who is the main instructor, Kwaku Jelani and the special participation of Miss Maria Moreno, Venezuelan instructor, student of Maestro Moreno, currently in Barbados who was in charge of refreshing the Sangueos de Carabobo, from the San Millan neighborhood, the one from Cata Bay and the one from Tarmas, performed by the group during its acclaimed presentation.
The sangueo is an Afro-Venezuelan dance and processional rhythm with which the image of the saint (San Juan) travels through the streets of the town, is one of those expressions that are repeated every June 24 in some areas of Venezuela.
Embajada de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela en Barbados
During the cultural gala there was also the fabulous presentation of the Barbadian dance group Dancing Africa accompanied by a “Tuk” band, a folkloric musical ensemble, considered indigenous to Barbados.
Dancing Africa accompanied by a “Tuk” band
This was followed by the performance of the Group of Cuatro of the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation who interpreted the Alma Llanera, a Barbadian song, adapted to Spanish, called “Emmerton” by Mighty Gabby and an excerpt from the poem “Píntame angelitos negros” by Andrés Eloy Blanco.
The event then closed with the majestic presentation of the artist and Cultural Ambassador of Barbados, the Honorable Dr. Anthony “Mighty Gabby” Carter accompanied by the extraordinaire guitarist Mike Sealy which received a standing ovation at the end of their performance.
The celebration culminated with a touching surprise, when the Venezuelan Chargé D’Affaires, Martha Ortega Peraza and the laureate Barbadian plastic arts artist, David “Guru” McClean presented a tribute from the people of Venezuela to the people of Barbados, in the person of its most important singer-songwriter Mighty Gabby, consisting of an artistic piece made by Guru, which included the first guitar with which the artist received his first music lessons, around 1954, from McClean’s father. In tears of joy, quite surprised and moved, “Mighty Gabby” humbly thanked such a significant
gift expressing that it was the best night of his life.
