Culture Minister calls for unity, solidarity during Independence

Charles is Minister of Culture
Charles is Minister of Culture

As Dominica launches its 37th Independence anniversary celebration against the backdrop of Tropical Storm Erika, Culture Minister, Justina Charles has called for a celebration of the Dominican spirit of unity.

The usually packed calendar of events was significantly watered down this year due to the impact of the storm but Charles said there are reasons to be thankful.

“There is still so much to be thankful for as a nation… it will be a celebration of the Dominican spirit and it is hoped that it will inspire us as citizens,” she said at the launch of the celebrations on Wednesday 7th October 2015. “Let’s therefore celebrate this 37th anniversary in a spirit of solidarity, in a spirt of togetherness, let us at the same time keep force on the ongoing recovery and building efforts.”

She added, “Six weeks ago we were affected and devastated by this storm and definitely we are aware that it affected many of our citizens and the country. It is most appropriate therefore that this year’s Independence celebrations reflect this special period that we are in.”

Charles, this is the reason that the theme for this year’s independence celebrations is “Rebuilding Dominica Together” and that togetherness in rebuilding the country should transcend all boundaries be it political, religious, social class, sex and age.

“We have had to scale down some of the activities or cancel others all together. We have had to redeploy our resources to the recovery and rebuilding effort,” she explained.

Events such as the sports and cultural competitions, the Creole pageants, the World Creole Music Festival, Creole In The Park and Heritage Day had to be axed and Charles explained that, apart from Creole In The Park, all the activities mentioned require government spending in order that they are held and are successful.

In addition, she informed, many of the country’s cultural groups and individuals were affected by the storm, hindering their participation in the celebrations.

This weekend the country will engage in national days of prayer and thanksgiving and Charles noted that this is another occasion for the country to remember those who have died and to pray for the relatives and friends of those affected as well as Dominica.

She said the other items on the independence calendar such as the Cultural Gala will take on a special significance.

The Culture Minister also urged Dominicans to focus on clean up and beautification around the island with the aim of restoring communities and the country.

Dominica became politically independent from Britain on November 3, 1978.

Independence celebrations run from October 8 to November 4.

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12 Comments

  1. pinky
    October 22, 2015

    :-? rather dissapointed. first you cancel creole in the park, the indepence, now dominica’s life!
    You are just Skerrit’s echo Justina. So disappointed in you. But can’t you change? :cry:

  2. Me
    October 9, 2015

    Justina manage to stop texting on her phone to talk about something .. We all know the best thing would have been to let creole fees happen… I was nearly on our door step I am sure money had been spent and now wasted

  3. October 8, 2015

    Have some respect what has her looks got to do with anything. Show yourselves lets make our own judgements. You idiots.
    God help those who help themselves that is all i can say

  4. Anonymous
    October 8, 2015

    Minister of culture? lmao biggest cabinet in the oecs for the smallest population. Wasted money ..What exactly does she do to be honest ..? lets get real dominicans

  5. kollchore
    October 8, 2015

    just talk…alas nothing of substance to offer!

  6. I, Me, & I Alone
    October 8, 2015

    Boy these days we hearing government ministers talking left right and center. I hearing St. Jean, the widow of piero, Drigo, Tonge, and others except that of Skero. Where is the minister and spokesman for everything? Strangely enough I have not been hearing the voice of Skerrit. Is he in exile? If yes, where to since he might be afraid of putting foot on US soil?

    But what exactly the madam wants us to unite on? Is she asking for us to unite on calling on Skerrit to explain his position on the arrest of his friends: Ng Lap Seng, John Ashe, and Francis Larenzo?

    • Titiwi
      October 8, 2015

      I don’t know where Roosevelt Skerrit is right now, maybe he does not know himself! But I can tell you he will be at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore on 26 & 27 Oct. to sell our passports at the Singapore Citizenship by Invesment & International Summit.
      Remember, Titiwi told you that, not GIS, DBS or Vibes or even DNO.

  7. Caretaker
    October 8, 2015

    No mirror is worth this LADY because, she is beautiful,stylish,intelligent and gorgeous. Red Rose for you madam. Keep you all mouth away from her .please

    • Tjebe fort
      October 8, 2015

      Beauty is in the eye of the beholder bro. I am looking at the lady soul, not her face, and find little substance.

  8. Kelly
    October 8, 2015

    What are you talking about Lady? Ask Roosevelt his definition of unity as the leader of the county. I am sacred for the country and for him given the fast moving UN arrest revelations? What do you think Madam Charles about that?

  9. grell
    October 8, 2015

    Justina take a good look in the mirror,then rephrase please.

  10. Tjebe fort
    October 8, 2015

    You are just Skerrit’s echo Justina. So disappointed in you.

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