The Virgin Islands may be a mere 59.2 square miles, but it is home to people from scores of different countries around the world.
That diversity was evident on Saturday during the premier’s fourth annual Christmas Around the World celebration at the Central 
Administration Building.
Lit by Christmas lights, several country associations served meals and drinks traditionally prepared during the holiday season in their countries.
As residents walked from tent to tent sampling dishes, they were treated to entertainment from the participating nations.
“Maligayang pasko,” a representative of the Filipino Association said from the stage. “That’s how you say ‘merry Christmas’ in Tagalog.”
Most of the presentations sought to showcase Christmas traditions in the various countries.
In Grenada, for example, communities have open cooking sessions, said Cletus Sylvester, president of the Grenada Association of the BVI.
“You get a sense of belonging to a family when people would come together and cook big pots of food and share,” Mr. Sylvester said. “People cook goat meat, fish water… . Everyone eats together.”
The Saturday Christmas event brought back memories for the Grenadian.
“This compares to what happens back home,” he said.
See the Dec. 22, 2016 edition for full coverage.
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