As part of National Heroes and Heritage Month, the Garifuna Heritage Foundation, TGHF, presented to the media and the general public, a variety of activities which will cover the period from  March 8th –  to March 24th.

The TGHF Media Launch was held on Tuesday, February 13th, 2018 at the National Public Library Conference Room in Kingstown.

The programme will include An International Garifuna Conference, The Annual Schools Garifuna Folk Festival, The Cultural Market Place and The Theatre Production “MALI”.

Events:

March 8th-9th, 2018, Garifuna Cultural Market Place at Heritage Square:

This is the 4th year that The Garifuna Heritage Foundation is collaborating with the Handi-Craft centre and the Adult and Continuing Education Department in the Ministry of Education to host this Exhibition of Indigenous Craft and other local manufactured products.  This event will be at the Heritage Square and  the general public can view and purchase items.

March 9th, 2018, 4th Annual Schools Garifuna Folk Festival at the Victoria Park:

For the 4th consecutive year, The Garifuna Heritage Foundation is collaborating with the Ministry of Education in the organising of  a Garifuna Heritage Cultural Rally featuring dancing, singing, drama, drumming and choral speech.  The Theme of the Schools Festival is “Children of Chatoyer, Fruits of our Heritage”.  These cultural items will be presented by Primary and Secondary Schools students throughout the Island including schools from the Grenadines. This event will take place at the Victoria Park commencing at 9:30 p.m.

March 12th, 2018 – 5th International Garifuna Conference at Peace Memorial Hall:

The theme for this year’s 5th International Garifuna Conference is “The Island of Balliceaux: Sacred Lands or Economic Opportunity?” The Opening ceremony for the Conference takes place on Monday, March 12th, 2018 at the Peace Memorial Hall commencing at 5.p.m.  The Keynote Address will be delivered by Dr. Yanique Hume, Lecturer, Department of Cultural Studies, U.W.I,  Cave Hill Campus.

On March 13th, 2018 the Conference continue and will feature scholars and practitioners of various aspects of the Garifuna Culture. They will be travelling to our shores from the Caribbean, Central America and the UK.  We are encouraging as many Vincentians, particularly those from indigenous communities, to participate and interact with our visitors. This event will take place at the Peace Memorial Hall commencing at 9:00 a.m.

March 23rd-24th, 2018,  Garifuna Theatre Production:  

This play entitled “Mali” seeks to use elements of the Garifuna culture  to  explore issues affecting women  and illustrates the struggles involved in resolving these issues.  Presented as a musical, it invokes poetry, singing, drumming, music and dance to chronicle the story of three generations of women as they seek healing, redemption and rebirth. This Play will be presented on both nights at the Peace Memorial Hall commencing at 8:00 p.m.  The entrance fee is $25.00 EC.  Tickets will be on sale from March 1st, 2018

March 11th – 12th, 2018 Inaugural Meeting – Network of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Caribbean Region –

On October 9th-11th,   2017 The Garifuna Heritage Foundation represented St.Vincent and the Grenadines at a Seminar sponsored by the Impact Justice Project (funded by Government of Canada).  Present at that seminar were representatives of  Indigenous people’s organizations from Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Surinam, Guyana, At this Seminar The Network of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Caribbean Region was formed, based on the need for indigenous people to have a stronger voice, strengthen solidarity and have more effective influence on policies that affect them .  The Network of  Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ITPs) of the Caribbean Region will be holding its Inaugural meeting  in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on  March 12th,  2018 to further develop the network  in preparation for holding national consultations and evaluations.

 

The Garifuna Heritage Foundation

P.O.Box 2867
St.Vincent and the Grenadines
Phone/Fax:   784- 45-62124
OpEmail: [email protected]
Website: www.garifunaresearchcenter.org