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,” …
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 …
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 …
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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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 …
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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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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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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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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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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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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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. …
‘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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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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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 …
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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