Virtual Events To Be Held For Heritage Month
The Department of Culture will be hosting a series of virtual and physically distanced events in order to celebrate Bermuda’s culture and heritage during the month of May, the island’s Heritage Month.
A spokesperson said, “May is Heritage Month. And for the second consecutive year, the Department of Culture will be hosting a series of virtual and physically distanced events to highlight and celebrate Bermuda’s culture and heritage.
“The public will recall that in March, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. Ernest Peets announced that this year’s theme for Bermuda Day and Heritage Month is ‘Bermudian Resilience.’”
“At the time, Minister Peets said, ‘Resilience is ingrained in us as a people, and it’s at the heart of how we’ve managed to withstand the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how we will navigate the challenges to come.’
“The Minister shared that due to the need for safety, the planned celebrations for this year’s Bermuda Day and Heritage Month activities have been re-imagined in keeping with the current health guidance in place.”
The Acting Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Tinee Furbert, said, “In the midst of a pandemic we will not be able to host our typical Bermuda Day Parade. Instead, the Department of Culture is organising a Covid-safe Bermuda Day show to be held at the National Stadium on May 28th.
“The show will feature some of what we all love best on Bermuda Day, including dance troupes and vibrant costumes.
“The show will be broadcast live to the public and recorded for viewing later. As a way of acknowledging the extraordinary hard work and commitment of our essential workers over the past year, limited in-person tickets will be reserved for frontline workers and a guest for the event.
“This is our way of thanking those who put their lives on the line during the roughest part of the pandemic.
“This includes our healthcare workers, the Police, Bermuda Regiment soldiers, grocery store workers, gas station attendants, as well as other frontline workers who have sacrificed so much for Bermuda during the pandemic. This is a small gesture that we can offer for their dedication and their Bermudian resilience.”
The spokesperson said, “Other key Heritage Month events include the virtual Bermuda Cultural Stakeholder Conference, which opens for registration on May 3 and will take place on May 16. This event is open to the public and will serve as the formal launch of the National Cultural Heritage Policy for Bermuda.
“Additionally the Mini-Float Challenge, in collaboration with Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation, will invite the community to build their own floats at home, with the best floats being awarded prizes. This event is open to the entire public.
“And Heritage Month will see the return of the Creatives Live! outdoor concerts on the City Hall steps, and as part of the Culture@Home series, members of the public will be able to enjoy a demonstration via a Zoom webinar on making banana dolls on Wednesday, May 5th by tradition-bearer Ronnie Chameau.
“More details of these and other Heritage Month events, including ticketing information for the May 28th Bermuda Day show, will be shared over the next week.”
Minister Furbert said, “It’s been a difficult year for all. But this is an opportunity for us to remember what unites and connects us. Let’s take heart knowing that we will see our way through these tough times.
“And I believe we will emerge with an even clearer sense of who we are as a people and what’s most important to us as Resilient Bermudians.”
The spokesperson said, “For more information on these events, please visit www.communityandculture.bm, call the main office on 292-1681, or email culture@gov.bm.
“Lastly, each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app. Do the research, talk with your doctor and make an informed decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.”
On a separate note, not connected with the Government’s initiative, the Bernews Network will soon be unveiling a dedicated website designed to help people ‘virtually celebrate’ the Bermuda Day holiday.
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