"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
On June 7, The BVI Beacon turned 40. To celebrate, it is re-publishing some of the biggest stories from its archives over the past four decades. The article below was …
Continue reading “FROM THE ARCHIVES, 1999: Looking back at 1949”
Soon after Dr. Angel Smith was appointed to oversee the government’s archives last year, he was assessing old records when he found a series of documents that shed new light …
Two-century-old land records displayed during a recent archives exhibition were found “purely by accident,” according to Archives and Records Management Unit Director Dr. Angel Smith. Dr. Smith discovered the documents …
Community members looked back in history on Nov. 30 in Long Look while celebrating the conclusion of Culture and Tourism Month, which entailed a full month celebrating music, history, art, …
Continue reading “Culture month ends with familial reflection”
We were elated by the full schedule of traditional activities organised for the territory’s third celebration of Virgin Islands Day on July 3. The way forward for the observance is …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Third time the charm for Virgin Islands Day”
Life in the Virgin Islands looked quite different for most residents in the 1960s than it does today, and artist Reuben Vanterpool dedicates much of his time to showcasing his …
Kudos to the government for drafting the five-year Virgin Islands Culture and Heritage Policy and Strategy, which promises to preserve, revitalise and study a cultural heritage that has been neglected …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Proposed culture policy is most welcome”
Though last year’s commemoration of the 1949 march that led to the restoration of the Virgin Islands Legislative Council inspired a spirited re-enactment, the second celebration of the 1949 Great …
Around this time last year, we sang the government’s praises for the decision to replace St. Ursula’s Day with Heroes and Foreparents Day as part of a larger programme of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Heroes, foreparents forgotten?”
Local historians contemplated what it takes to foster a resilient legacy during a panel discussion hosted by H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on July 4 in observance of the second …
All too frequently in recent months, we have found ourselves writing about another hurricane recovery project that is far behind. This week, it’s the public library. The main branch in …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Where, oh where, is the new library?”
One Mart owner Mark Vanterpool thinks Virgin Islands residents should have more local places to shop. And by that, he means they shouldn’t have to go more than a few …
With waves crashing against the rocks, community members dressed all in white tossed bouquets of pink and yellow flowers into the sea on Feb. 13 to memorialise victims of the …
Partway through an evening of storytelling, poetry and music on Nov. 21, event organisers called everyone’s attention to the clock at 5:30, the exact moment when about 1,500 people arrived …
Past and present collided as some of the Virgin Islands’ brightest minds looked back on history’s change-makers during the inaugural Heroes and Forefathers Day on Oct. 18, drawing comparisons between …
With Virgin Islandsthemed balloons decorating tables, the territorial song playing from speakers, tarts and guavaberry rum being shared, and employees sporting T-shirts with popular sayings like “One hand can’t clap,” …
The Department of Culture celebrated International Museum Day on Tuesday under the banner “The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine.” “Museums at their best are inspiring places,” Governor John Rankin …
As the Virgin Islands prepares to celebrate emancipation, elected leaders also turned to the history books this week before greenlighting a constitutional review. Premier Andrew Fahie referenced the political groundswell …
In the 1960s there was one street in Road Town: Main Street, which had two lanes. Eventually, traffic was diverted to Wickhams Cay and the government of the day permitted …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — History tapped for RT traffic ideas”
Though the celebrations will look notably different from typical years, the August Emancipation Festival will still happen in the coming weeks despite the complications of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to …
In the weeks since the world watched a white police officer kneel on George Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the response to Mr. Floyd’s death has rightly …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Black Lives Matter fight hits home in Virgin Islands”
Though the pandemic threw a wrench into the Department of Culture’s plans to produce an exhibition at the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Building and several satellite locations, the agency got …
Continue reading “Virtual exhibits open window to VI history”
Krezmore Construction has begun the first phase of repairs to the Old Government House Museum — which was shuttered after the 2017 hurricanes— and expects to finish these renovations in …
Continue reading “Repairs begin on Old Government House Museum”
Behind Crafts Alive Village on Sunday afternoon, four men knelt in a circle and chanted as they poured libations. It was one of many traditions the Afrikan Studies Klub performed …
Continue reading “12th African Remembrance Wreath Laying Ceremony held”
In his recent Budget Address, Premier Andrew Fahie promised to build on the arts festival previously organised by late District Five Representative Delores Christopher. Yes, indeed, we are forever grateful …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Previous arts festivals recalled”