By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL celebrations to commemorate the country’s imminent 43rd anniversary of Independence started on Friday with National Pride Day festivities, which climaxed with a spirited and cultured flag raising ceremony.

Scores of Bahamians filled historic Rawson Square in downtown Nassau to witness the hoisting of the national flag by Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, who implored Bahamians to use the 43rd anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the journey the country has made since it became independent in 1973.

She noted that the Bahamas has taken monumental steps toward realising the nation’s true potential. “In order to continue to build our nation, all of us must have the positive determination to move ahead, the will to be an effective part of nation-building, and a sense of shared initiatives,” she said. “Every one of us has a vital role to play in our continuation as a sovereign nation and there can be no better way to start than by demonstrating unity of purpose and a firm commitment to excellence in all we do.”

Dame Marguerite said there were many challenges and difficulties which confront the Bahamas. As a result, she said it will take the full determination of each Bahamian to maintain the peace and good order of society, urging them to unite to celebrate as a country and seize this opportunity to be a part of the answer and not a part of the problem.

The theme of this year’s independence celebrations is “Honouring Our People’s Excellence”.

In addition to the flag raising ceremony, officials commemorated National Pride Day with other festivities including a ‘All-Star Junkanoo’ performance, a ‘Rake n Scrape’ performance and many other cultural expressions.

According to Ian Poitier, director of the Independence Committee, festivities will continue throughout the month. Other events on the calendar include the Beat Retreat on Sunday at 5.30pm in Rawson Square, as well as separate ceremonies to celebrate the country’s cultural and sporting legends, on July 5 and 14 respectively.

The traditional Clifford Park events will begin on Saturday, July 9, at 8pm with an ecumenical service and culminates with the flag raising at midnight.

On the evening of Sunday, July 10, there will be a State Reception at Government House and at midnight heading into Monday, July 11, the day the public holiday will be observed, is the People’s Love and Unity Rush on Bay Street.

The government has announced that it would spend under $1m for the festivities, slightly down from the $1.1m spent on last year’s events.