Several Dominicans were recognized for their outstanding work in the cultural arena at the annual Golden Drum Awards and Concert last night.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Cultural Officer Raymond Lawrence, said the recipients were being awarded because their work has made an impact on the cultural aspect of Dominica.
He said the awards is a wonderful way of showing appreciation for work well done.
“This ceremony this evening is a very important occasion because it recognizes achievement in the field of cultural development in Dominica,” he said.
Lawrence also urged the awardees to continue doing the good work.
Elue Alexander received the award for preservation of traditional culture; the Alfred family of Giraudel received the award for floriculture and floral decoration, Purcell Christian for music education and performance and Ian Jackson for music and creative writing.
Prosper Paris also received the golden drum award for preservation of the indigenous culture.
The Golden Drum Awards were presented by the President of Dominica, Eluid Williams.
Special Recognition Awards were also given to several people for their input in culture.
They are Dennison “King Dice” Joseph for development of calypso, Lennox Alexander for development and promotion of steel pan music, Nadira Lando for carnival queen pageantry, Birdy Phillip for preservation of traditional dance and Cedric Phillip for development and promotion of choral music.
The Special Recognition Awards were presented by the Minister for Culture Justina Charles.
See photos below.
I would like to know what is the criteria for receiving a special award. While I have nothing against the former Miss Dominica I am wondering why she was given an award for simply doing what was required of her during her reign. Carnival Queens before (and I am certain ones after her)also did well for Dominica in the region, some of them even won ALL the competitions that they participated in while Ms Lando only won 3 of the 4. I say if the award is for contribution to pageantry then individuals such as Mrs Hyacinth, Mrs.Regina Walsh, Mrs.Charlene White Christian, Kate James to name a few should be the ones being awarded for their contributions as these individuals not only help our Queens but if you look at our Wob Dwiyet,Princess Show,Teen Dominica and other village and community shows they are also there. So if we are giving an award for being a Kalinago Queen I say sure go ahead give it to Ms Lando. If it’s for a queen who represented us well I say we have a long list to go through starting way back with people like Marcella Laroque, Ms Cools Lartigue etc. But if it’s for contribution to PAGEANTRY I say We got this one wrong.
Congratulations to all.
congratulations to all the recipients and always the Paix Bouche drummers did an excellent job
CONGRATS TO ALL. VERY WELL DESERVED
Congratulations to ALL….and Dice u deserve…
god.i cannot stop watching number 47..look two pretty little girls.god bless the little one
congratulation to all the award recipients, continue doing the good work that you are doing.