Culturama 41 Chairperson – Deborah Tyrell
Charlestown, Nevis
July 31, 2015
Chairperson for Culturama 41 Deborah Tyrell, says future generations will honor past custodians of the island’s history, for their ability to leave behind something on which they too can innovate and expand. It is for that reason she said, the Culturama Committee was taking its role seriously.
Tyrell, who heads the Committee, made the comment when she delivered remarks at the official launch of Culturama 41 at a ceremony, dotted with entertainment, at the Charlestown Waterfront on July 23, 2015.
“At Culturama, Nevis weaves a tapestry that includes the threads of the past even as it ties in the current ideas.
“Generations to come will judge us by our ability to create today, something that is valuable to them tomorrow – just as Calypso was first Neaga Business and then Social Commentary and now Groovy and Power Soca,” she said.
She described her team of volunteers responsible for executing the major activities in the July 23 to August 04 Festival, as a group of dynamic, conscientious and creative individuals who cared deeply about the culture of Nevis and Culturama. She thanked the Minister of Culture Hon. Mark Brantley for the opportunity to work with them.
Tyrell also had words of appreciation for members of the public, critics and others, who in an age of social media provided comments and suggestions in an effort to help the Committee to improve the Culturama festivities.
She said the Committee recognized the comments both positive and negative, as an expression of interest in the success of the Festival.
However, Tyrell noted that although members of the Committee took the task of assisting the Executive Director of the Culturama Secretariat Abonaty Liburd to create the festival annually, it was not always possible to bring to fruition every idea and every suggestion made by the public.
She gave the assurance though, that by making suggestions or critiquing the Committee, they gave strength to the idea that culture is for all of Nevis to care about and their voices were truly appreciated.
Tyrell said Culturama was not about money or fame but it was a time when Nevis and its culture was on show and as onlookers, social media commentators or active participants it is a big deal.
“So whether it is the masquerade, the demonstration of talent in the various competitions, the art exhibition at the Charlestown Gallery, the Voices of the Poets in the Square; the experience at the Food Fair or the Parade of Troupes, your presence makes Culturama and this is our time!” she said.