The month of February is observed annually as History and Heritage Month in St. Kitts and Nevis; a time that Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew said allows us all as proud Kittitians and Nevisians to reflect and marvel at the tapestry of the nation’s rich and proud history and culture.
Speaking at the launch event for History and Heritage Month on February 01, Prime Minister Dr. Drew said the theme for this year’s observation, “Re-educating our People on our Arts and Culture while Promoting Patriotism”, was aptly chosen as it encourages nationals to recognize the important role that arts and culture play in the ongoing development of the country while at the same time calls for the protection and preservation of our heritage.
“The richness of a society is in part determined by its arts and culture. It was Marcus Garvey who reminded us that ‘a people without a knowledge of their past, origin and culture is like a tree without roots’. Indeed, history, arts and culture hold a significant place in the life of any civilization. They illuminate the essence of great civilizations across the continents, guiding us to understanding their ethos and values. When we examine the great civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, it is their arts and culture that enable us to define their way of life,” Dr. Drew said.
Prime Minister Dr. Drew said it is for this reason that his administration took the initiative of creating the Ministry of Sports and Creative Economy to help ignite the flames of creativity and excellence in the nation’s people.
“This bold move is helping us to reshape our thinking and our attitudes towards arts and culture. The recent revitalization of the Department of Creative Economy will propel the creative industry to new heights as we empower creative professionals. From singers and musicians to craftsmen and architects, our creative professionals are finding recognition and support and we must empower them to continue to contribute significantly to our cultural tapestry,” the prime minister added.
In December 2023, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis paid tribute to and awarded parcels of land to eight distinguished individuals who, through their creativity and artistry, made significant contributions to the nation’s identity and pride.
“While we forge a new path and race to the future, we must always remember from whence we came,” said Prime Minister Drew. “We stand upon the shoulders of giants, the master builders, the men and women who used their God-given talents to create unique expressions of Kittitian and Nevisian artistic and cultural activity. Visionaries like Kenrick Georges, the author of National Anthem and Edrice Lewis-Viechweg, designer of our National Flag, the creators of our national wear and national dish—it was with their patriotic zeal that led them to create such masterpieces. Their contributions and those of countless others we must always remember.”
Highlighted activities for History and Heritage Month include a Library Book Display at the Charles Halbert Library, the Primary Schools Quiz competition, a cultural fair and exhibition and the Sir Probyn Inniss Memorial Lecture.