Minister Foggo On Bermuda Day Celebration

[Statement by Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports Lovitta Foggo]

As we near the end of a Heritage Month that is quite different from what we’ve experienced in the past, I’d like to begin by praising our community for the ways in which we have exhibited national pride in the midst of our current challenges; and by remembering that Heritage Month was, is, and will always be a time when Bermudians celebrate the best parts of being Bermudian.

Earlier in the month, on behalf of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, CITV issued a call to the public, asking for submissions on why we all love Bermuda Day. I’m pleased to say that a number of people including educators and students took this onboard, and we’ve seen some creative and adorable submissions go viral.

Minister Lovitta Foggo’s Bermuda Day Message, video via the Government media

I think one of my favourites was probably the toy parade and little Miss Bermuda that I saw coming out of Warwick Academy’ primary division. We’re reposting some of these on the Department’s Facebook page with the hashtag #WhyILoveBermudaDay – as a representation of a creative Heritage Month “challenge”, and encourage you to tag the Department’s page as you post.

This Bermuda Day challenge serves as a reminder, I am sure, that many of us will miss the camaraderie and festivities of the Bermuda Day Parade usually experienced from our vantage points on Cedar Ave, Court Street, or Front Street.

However, one of the opportunities that has been afforded to us as a community as a result of the Covid-19 crisis is to consider what remains most important to us as a people, and how we can retain some of the core ideas, ideals, and principles of our community.

The challenge that faces us at this particular point in our history from a cultural standpoint is learning how to translate some of the experiences that typically comprise the fabric of our day-to-day lives and special celebrations into virtual experiences that we can enjoy whilst keeping ourselves, our loved ones and the most vulnerable members of our community safe from harm.

With this in mind, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs has partnered as the title sponsor with Bermemes to provide the public with a virtual Bermuda Day Parade on Friday as a Facebook Premiere, providing the opportunity for the public to enjoy and engage in real-time. The parade will include an introduction and some of the best footage of parades from previous years, including the gorgeous floats and our vibrant participants.

There will also be a spotlight on the performers: majorettes, marching bands, folk dancers and dance groups. And of course no parade, virtual or otherwise, would be complete without the gombeys as a grand finale. Our thanks to Bermemes for partnering to provide what is sure to be a fun, exciting and interactive way for the public to enjoy Bermuda Day from the safety of our homes.

As a compliment to this offering, CITV has also mined their video archives for footage of previous Bermuda Day parades, and I hope that you’ve been enjoying them during this week. On Bermuda Day this year, I hope you’ll also tune into CITV to enjoy their archival footage which I’ve prefaced with a special Bermuda Day message.

The virtual parade created by Bermemes will be linked to and accessible via another initiative that I’m proud to announce – the launch of the new Community and Cultural Affairs website tomorrow night. The website, at www.communityandculture.bm, will serve as a hub for announcing the various events, programmes, opportunities, and initiatives hosted by the Department including lectures, virtual offerings, cultural education, cultural resources, videos, information on sponsorship opportunities, and more.

Some of what you will see on this site includes events that comprise the popular Bermudian Heartbeats lecture series; study guides for teachers wishing to make the most of our cultural documentary series as learning tools for our students; and a treasure-trove of information on the Department’s offerings such as the Cultural Apprenticeship Programme, the Bermuda Arts Council, and the Historical and Cultural Research Programme including information on how to participate.

It is our hope that this website, which will be regularly updated with additional information and new content, including videos to be added to our Department’s YouTube channel, will become a tool heavily utilized by the public not only now during this time of social distancing, but moving into the future of our ‘new normal’.

Please enjoy these initiatives, and celebrate the upcoming holiday safely and responsibly. As the Minister responsible for Culture, I wish you all a healthy and happy Bermuda Day.

Thank You.

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