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 …
November 25, 2021
October 26, 2021
VI heroes heralded on historic holiday
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 …
July 8, 2021
First VI Day celebrated quietly
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,” …
May 20, 2021
Virgin Islands celebrates museums
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 …
July 31, 2020
House votes to review 2007 Constitution
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 …
July 29, 2020
COMMENTARY — History tapped for RT traffic ideas
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 …
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July 24, 2020
Scaled-back August Festival is on
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 …
July 2, 2020
EDITORIAL: Black Lives Matter fight hits home in Virgin Islands
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 …
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June 24, 2020
Virtual exhibits open window to VI history
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 …
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March 12, 2020
Repairs begin on Old Government House Museum
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 …
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February 7, 2020
12th African Remembrance Wreath Laying Ceremony held
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 …
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December 4, 2019
COMMENTARY — Previous arts festivals recalled
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 …
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August 10, 2019
EDITORIAL: In Facebook age, emancipation is increasingly on VI’s radar
For decades, we have encouraged residents during this season to remember the real reason for the August Emancipation Festival. As we do the same this year, we are pleased to …
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August 1, 2019
Festival kicks off with music, pageants
The 65th August Emancipation Festival is well under way, with upcoming performances by local and international bands as well as the Rise and Shine Tramp and the August Monday Parade. …
June 4, 2019
‘Virtual museum’ highlights Virgin Islands culture
The Department of Culture has launched its first “virtual museum” as part of efforts to motivate young people around the territory, according to government. The initiative, which launched on May …
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March 25, 2019
COMMENTARY — African history seen as neglected here
I cannot deny that there’s room for improvement in the teaching of world history in our schools, including African history (or “black history,” as it is commonly called in this …
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February 22, 2019
The election campaigns of days gone by
In the weeks leading up to a general election in the modern Virgin Islands, campaign billboards line the roads, smaller signs dot telephone poles, and the airwaves are cluttered with …
July 31, 2018
COMMENTARY — Tortola visits, 52 years apart, recounted
In September 1966, I was a 22-year-old American Peace Corps trainee straight out of college, fortunately placed on Tortola for two months of agricultural training in chickens and gardens. My …
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