Every year, Heroes and Foreparents Day should be a big deal.
The observance — created under the landmark 2021 public holiday reforms — is meant to honour the many people whose sacrifices and achievements helped shape this territory. It’s a vital opportunity to reflect on Virgin Islands history and celebrate the people who built the foundations enjoyed today.
Some years, the government has done just that. In 2023, for instance, 10 national heroes were named — a welcome and well-deserved recognition.
But other years, official observances have been lacklustre at best. This year’s observance last week was a case in point: Apart from a statement from the premier and an online discussion broadcast by H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, there was no formal government celebration. That is deeply disappointing.
If the government is still struggling to set the tone for this important new holiday, we have a few suggestions.
First and foremost, there must be an official public celebration every year, without exception. The format could vary: a cultural fair, a concert, a public discussion or a community march. But the decision should involve the people themselves.
Next year, the government might start by hosting a national forum to brainstorm ideas. In the meantime, an organising committee should be appointed to begin planning now.
Beyond that, possibilities abound:
• Cultural events across Tortola and the sister islands could honour heroes past and present.
• An annual contest could invite residents to nominate and vote for honourees — some of whom might later be added to the official list of national heroes.
• A storytelling or oral-history project could collect personal accounts or folktales from seniors and preserve them for future generations.
• Local writers, poets and fungi bands could be commissioned to produce songs or poems celebrating heroes, with the public voting on the best.
• Historians could be offered annual research grants to deliver public lectures about one hero each year — perhaps in a series leading up to the observance.
• Panel discussions could explore potential additions to the official list of national heroes.
• Heritage trails could be established across the main islands, with historical visits to places like Theodolph Faulkner’s home on Anegada organised each year.
These ideas are just starting points. None would require extravagant spending — certainly not compared to the more than $200,000 the government shelled out earlier this year to subsidise a Vybz Kartel concert.
Heroes and Foreparents Day deserves more than token observance. It deserves genuine celebration — not just to look back, but to inspire the next generation of VI heroes.
We wish everyone a happy Heroes and Foreparents Day.
Next year, we hope it’s one for the record books.
