National days of prayer on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22 will kick off Dominica’s 2013 independence celebrations, Chief Cultural Office, Raymond Lawrence announced on Wednesday.
The celebrations, which mark Dominica’s 35th anniversary of political independence, are expected to span some seven weeks under the theme “One Mission, One Dominica, Celebrating 35.”
The official opening ceremony is slated for Friday 27th September and will take place on the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard.
Dominica History Week will be celebrated from Monday 7th October to Friday 11th October under the theme “Koudmen”.
“Koudmen is a spirit of volunteerism and community spirit of generosity and kindness which has been part of the Dominican lives for centuries,” Lawrence explained.
The National Art and Craft Exhibition, which will focus on Breadfruit, is slated for Tuesday 15th at the Old Mill Cultural Centre.
The Madame Wob Dwiyet Pageant is carded for Friday 18th, October, Ti Matador is set for Saturday 19th while the National Wob Dwiyet Pageant will take place on Thursday 24th October, 2013.
A special Creole Symposium will be held from October 22nd to October 24th to commemorate the 30th anniversary of International Creole Day. LIME Creole in the Park will also be held during that week.
Heritage Day will take place in Bagatelle on Sunday 20th and the traditional Creole Day is slated for Friday 25th.
The World Creole Music Festival will follow Creole Day and will run from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October, 2013 at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.
Lawrence pointed out further that the National Youth Rally will be held on November 1st, 2013 and the National Day Parade will be held on Sunday 3rd, 2013 from 4:00 pm.
The National Cultural Gala will follow on Monday 4th November and National Day of Community Service is slated for Tuesday 5th November.
This year the District Cultural Competitions have been replaced by District Cultural Festivals.
Meanwhile Lawrence is calling on all Dominicans to join together in unity and build national pride during the celebrations.
“Independence is a wonderful time to build unity, to build national pride, to preserve and promote our beautiful cultural heritage,” Lawrence said. “Independence is a time of gratitude, to God, for life, for bringing us to 35 years of nation hood. It is also a time of gratitude to all those who have played a part in Dominica’s continued development through the years.”
He said the theme encourages Dominicans to work together towards building the nation. “I think with the theme that we have it really encourages us to work together to partner together to help to take Dominica forward. So we urge all Dominicans to wear your creole wear, celebrate your music, food and language and we want to have a peaceful celebration,” Lawrence said.
Dominica gained independence from Great Britain on November 3, 1978.
You are correct DNO, independence of “political independence”. This is exactly just what it was and is. It was not “economical independence.”
The government of that era should have considered this prior to seeking independence. A grave injustice was done to Dominica and nationals.
A country that cannot stand on its own financially, does not deserve to be independent. I do not know what was on the mind of that government and supporters to cause to seek Dominica’s independence from Great Britain. I have previously stated, in the long run Dominica lost a lot by being independent.
Right now, due to lack of jobs, if Dominica were still a sovereign country, those who wish could simply get a passport, pay their passage and migrate to England to seek employment, if only temporary. Consider how many people from different countries migrated to England in those days. After some years, some of them re-located to Canada.
Dominica is no better off economically than it was in those days. If it appears better, it is due to primarily the outside assistance it receives.
Dominica needs a lot of financial assistance to achieve and complete its projects and to assist those who are living in poverty.
This applies to all West Indian countries. Antigua and Barbados may be exempt. Although I read on a Toronto ethnic newspaper that Antigua recently received an exorbitant sum of money. Why be independent then? It is too late to turn back the wheels of time.
That man not easy, what about creole in the park and creole by the bay? That is also part of the independence celebration, that I coming home for.
That man not easy, what about creole in the park and creole by the bay? That is also part of the independence celebration, that I coming home for.
We boy cotting all events if Ah lick de arse in the night is presidentay.
You are uncouth.
This is not your Website. Other people are reading this. Even though it was your own, you are expected to exercise respectfulness. Some of you think you can state anything on this Website. Such comments which lack class and dignity, coming from someone of likeness mind, should be prohibited. It is not interesting, educating and uplifting. 
Mr Lawrence.
Hello and good evening my people. Well Mr Lawrence I would like to come home and join in the celebration and
Volunteer to help clean two of our beaches but I have one major problem. How am I going to get to Dominica from NYC without spending two day traveling based on what I recently read about Liat?
Looking forward to the celebrations, at least we can enjoy ourselves…
I love Independence celebrations. My most favourite time of the year cause I am so proud to be Dominican
They dont have money for Independence celebrations but they have money giving it out for voting, Folks take the money you need it and then vote then out.
This annual event is well known within the Caribbean and many other countries it is worth
promoting and advertising.I know a few people who
are interested in coming but some are skeptical about Liat and all tis political confusion that is being”played on the the island”Creole Festival has a positive impact on the economy I am hopeful that it will be promoted and we will have a good crowd to enjoy and participate in our culture,Thanks to Mr Lawrence who does a Fantastic Job advertising our culture.God bless Dominica.
Tourism Dept will make arrangement with Liat so
Well done Raymond,there are those who don’t understand or appreciate our independence and privilege of being a majority people,born in the land of their Ancestors they prefer being minorities in big cities where they have no stake.
It starts with prayer and ends with sewo! God gets His and so does satan. What a recipe – two ingredients that don’t belong together. I would love to see (not taste) the end product.
So it kicks off with a prayer to whom? the God of heaven and earth? And what will you ask Him? to bless the rum, sewo, waywardness and reveling? Really?
You guys never cease to amaze me.
Cheers! Long live Dominica’s heritage.
Our government don’t have money to waste on a hair pin!!! Treasury brokes brokes brokes!!!
Is community Day of service now called Coudemere -I wonder why? The truckers go clean up and people go plant flowers?
Keep up the good work Raymond and Pearle and all the hard-working cultural officers. They working you all hard with little recognition but God is good.
The Culture of Dominica gets very little funding but you all make blood come from stones. If you all don’t work, what will be the future!
KEEP IT UP!!!!! Looking forward to a great Independence
But what is the mission – shouldn’t we know what it is we are working together towards? Different people may have different missions for Dominica
Yahh I agree, cause everybody on their own agenda, majority aiming to leave this place and I can relate. SMH alas alas alas.
Different views as well and some way off ones. You simply have to read the comments especially those which pertain to religion, religious beliefs and politics. This is when the division and disunity are evident. Unless we have one heart and mind, we will never be able to get along and work together.
For now, I prefer the word “tolerant” of each other, of their beliefs and opinions, according others their due right, dignity and freedom of speech. Some are not even capable of that.
How can there ever be unity, true peace and a genuine Independent Day, joyful celebration?
One day God will put a hand and a stop to this also hypocrisy and pretense, He who detests adverse, ungodly actions.
DNO : I like the way you guys said 35 yrs of “political” independence and not just Independence. It just sounded deliberate when i read.
Many times DNO will surprise you with their insightful reporting.