The Virgin Islands will join 37 Commonwealth countries, nine United Kingdom Overseas Territories and the United Kingdom in raising over 650 Commonwealth flags Monday in a what’s being described as the largest flag-raising ceremony in history.

 

The event will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, which is also Commonwealth Day public holiday. Celebrations will begin at 9 a.m. at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza with a procession to the Central Administration Building.

A flag-raising ceremony will follow, at which Miss BVI Jaynene Jno Lewis will read a Commonwealth message, and Deputy Governor Inez Archibald will also give remarks.

Throughout the world various flag hoisting ceremonies will be held. Charity Teams from Fields of Life, a Northern Ireland and Uganda based charity will mark the day by raising the Commonwealth flag at Schools across Uganda on Commonwealth day.

In Tonga, the Girl Guides Association of the Kingdom of Tonga will be the first in the world to raise their Commonwealth flag at 10 a.m. local time Monday. Other jurisdictions will follow, each raising flags at 10 a.m. For the first time in maritime history, P&O and Cunard Line will be raising the flag on all of their 11 ships as they travel the world.

Kamalesh Sharma, secretary-general of the Commonwealth said, “Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth is a most imaginative way for people in local communities, wherever they live, learn or work, to join together with others throughout the Commonwealth in a spirit of respect and understanding to celebrate the variety of unmatched diversity of our global family. I welcome and commend it.”

Commonwealth Day 2015 will be observed under the theme, “A Young Commonwealth.” 

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