Independence anniversary events have $1.1m budget

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

ORGANISERS of the 42nd independence anniversary are hoping that this year’s celebration not only “captures the best of our culture,” but unites citizens around the world in a “truly Bahamian experience.”

The government will spend $1.1m on the events.

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said this year’s celebration is being presented as a symbol to recognise our journey as a Bahamian people.

“There was a time when we couldn’t celebrate the way we wanted to. We can now, we can do so in a peaceful atmosphere and can do so by lifting up our own people,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

“The truth is, all of this is intended to do that, it’s all intended to cause us to understand that there is a commonality. No matter what we think politically, no matter what the colour of our skin is; we are one and Bahamian. We can come together on certain things and we should celebrate the fact that we are a nation (that is) 42 years old.

“One person didn’t do it, we collectively built this nation,” he said.

Mr Wilchcombe said that many Bahamians often question the core values of Bahamian culture, due to heavy influence from international cultures.

“We have music that comes from everywhere and so truth is if you do not have enough of your culture to counter what you are receiving from outside, you can get lost and you cannot appreciate where we come from and what we have done,” he added.

Director of the independence celebration, Ian Poitier said the festivities will get underway on Friday, July 3, with the National Pride Day celebration scheduled to take place in Rawson Square at 10am.

On Monday, July 6, at 7pm, the College of the Bahamas will host an Independence Children’s Concert. Mr Poitier said another important event scheduled for the nation’s “birthday bash” is the unveiling of the Sir Lynden Pindling statue at the airport on the eve of Independence Day.

The traditional Clifford Park events will begin at 8pm, with a church service.

At 9pm those in attendance will be treated to a celebration of marching bands, followed by the highly anticipated cultural show. The fan favourite military parade is slotted for 11pm, the flag raising and fireworks display at midnight and a Junkanoo rush out at 1am.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Our Children: Our Future”.

Independence Day is July 10.

Comments

tylamb says...

I am really sick and tired of our government wasting money. The last few celebrations starting with the 40th under the direction of Ian Poitier have been mediocre at best. Perhaps Poitier is out of touch with what is relevant in the Bahamas and unable to read the pulse, having spent most of his life in England and involved with the gay agenda. Will we get a week that is worth **1.1 Million dollars**??? Amazing that Tourism is taking the lead on this and not National Security or Culture.

Posted 25 June 2015, 9:57 p.m. Suggest removal

BoopaDoop says...

It's Obie's turn at the cookie jar again. He will bring in some Miami Dolphin friends again like he did for Junkanoo Carnival to be interviewed on ZNS showing appreciation for the free trip.

Posted 26 June 2015, 7:37 a.m. Suggest removal

watcher says...

Hmmmm - Independence Day celebrations are only getting around 10% of what "Carnival" did? Guess the PLP's and their cronies haven't had time to spend the kick backs from that mammoth cookie jar yet. I suppose we can expect an announcement of spending lots more of our money sometime nearer to Christmas?

Posted 26 June 2015, 9:01 a.m. Suggest removal

TruthHurts says...

Hilarious.. The joke is on all of us! That's budgeted for campaign 2017. They're gonna use 'all a we' money to bribe us to re-elect them. The devil is a liar! Go thee to the depths of hell where you belong!

Posted 26 June 2015, 2:52 p.m. Suggest removal

Sickened says...

Is the $1.1 million the amount they are ***spending*** on celebrations or is this the amount that they are taking out of the public treasury for the celebrations?

Posted 26 June 2015, 9:34 a.m. Suggest removal

newcitizen says...

That's the amount they are telling us they are taking out of the treasury. When it's all said and done we'll find out they actually took twice that and spend only a quarter of it on the actual celebration. And then a few people will make some noise and everyone else will just bury their heads in the sand.

Posted 26 June 2015, 9:56 a.m. Suggest removal

duppyVAT says...

Well how will they share $1.1 million between the 29 inhabited islands ............. or is that only for Nassau and Freeport?????????

Posted 26 June 2015, 10:05 a.m. Suggest removal

Sickened says...

Just like Carnival... they mussy forget about Freeport. That amount will be added in later.

Posted 26 June 2015, 11:05 a.m. Suggest removal

BoopaDoop says...

I hope vendors expecting to make money are not involved because that means another $1m if they don't break even.

Posted 26 June 2015, 10:30 a.m. Suggest removal

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