The Arawak House of Culture in Dominica has been a significant location for hosting cultural events. Unfortunately, it was severely impacted by Hurricane Maria.
There have been efforts to restore and rehabilitate this important cultural center, however, the process of renovation over the past few years has become increasingly fraught with challenges.
The Ministry of Tourism and Culture initiated construction and rehabilitation works at the Arawak House of Culture, with a project valued at over $900,000. The extensive rehabilitation includes complete restoration of the external and internal structures, including the roof, stage, seating, flooring, foyer, and air conditioning. Additionally, a new sound and lighting system and artistic indoor and outdoor décor are to be installed.
Despite the ongoing renovations, there have been differing opinions on how to proceed. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit expressed reservations about the renovation process and publicly favored a complete reconstruction. He cited concerns about the existing infrastructure and the challenges associated with renovations.
“I’m being told that we may need a new roof for the Arawak, to go and break this down and to add a new roof, I’m sure they going to tell me well, I need beams or that the old building cannot sustain the new roof,” Mr. Skerrit stated.
On the other hand, Mrs. Anita Bully, founder of the Alwin Bully Foundation, disagrees with the idea of a complete reconstruction. She believes that time is of the essence and suggests that if the roof needs replacement, it should be done promptly. Mrs. Bully emphasizes the importance of having a functional space for cultural performances, as currently, artists are forced to perform in inadequate school rooms without proper stages, lighting, or sound facilities. She advocates for preserving the Arawak House of Culture and finding practical solutions while the renovations continue.
“If the roof has to be replaced, then replace the roof, but in the meantime what are we going to do? We cannot keep performing in school rooms that have no stages, no light or sound, not even fans in the spaces…art [is]supposed to die in Dominica?,” Bully asked. “We have the Arawak there; [it] is not our fault that they messed up on it. Put on the roof. Everything had been destroyed, they had new chairs they brought in, new things for the curtains, so what are we to do in the meantime?”
At his most recent press conference, the prime minister revealed plans for the construction of a brand-new cultural facility with assistance from the People’s Republic of China. He said meetings are soon to be conducted with cultural enthusiasts and theatrical production veterans who will hold key responsibility in the oversight of the project, “to ensure we capture all of the elements that they feel should be part of this cultural center for Dominica.”
Skerrit added, “It’s good to get people who have an intrinsic desire for these things to be part of the process, rather than people who are only extrinsically motivated . I tell people passion is 80% of work, and physical is 20%, and so we need to get people with the passion to advance those things.”
The location of the cultural center which will consist of space for performing arts, and other entertainment aspects including a movie theater among other things, has not yet been determined but according to the prime minister, plans are already underway to conference with key contributors in this regard.
For Anita Bully, it is not a matter of choosing between the Arawak House of Culture and a new cultural center as, according to her, she longs to share her ideas with the prime minister for the construction of an “exceptional” facility to include, “training rooms, proper dance studio, proper theater that can fit up to three hundred (300) persons, proper lights and sound with flying capability, proper bathrooms, cosmetology rooms, costume rooms, wings, large theater space housing fifteen hundred persons with both covered and uncovered sitting area as well as open surrounding spacing, proper parking facilities.”
However, Bully is not satisfied with waiting around in the hope that a new cultural center will be built soon considering the many promising ideas which she says were left to languish for so long and others still with no sight of their birth.
“How many governments decided they were building an international airport? Finally its coming to fruition, I will not see it in my lifetime, most likely. What are we to do in the meantime?” she asked. “We need the refurbishing of Arawak to be completed yesterday. All arts groups are suffering because of this and have put all performances on hold.”
Artists should not have to suffer because “those responsible for assessing the building failed miserably,” the widow of the late Alwin Bully, one of Dominica’s most prolific and accomplished artists, noted.
For his part, although Mr. Skerrit’s stated preference is for the construction of a new cultural facility, he intends to move forward with the renovation of the Arawak House of Culture, the challenges not withstanding.
It’s clear that the Arawak House of Culture is a significant part of Dominica’s cultural landscape. Balancing the need for preservation with practical considerations remains a challenge, but the hope is that this iconic venue will continue to thrive and serve as a hub for artistic expression and cultural events in the future.
They boastec they they are the administration with the most money. Now they crying brokes. Watch that eh people. DOMLEC go up DOWASCO go up. Wait for something else to happen. Arawak house of culture needed renovations BEFORE hurricane Maria. We need to stop accepting mediocrity and nonsense in Dominica. Arawak house will fall down before Skerrit decide to put money in the Min of culture to fix our national house of culture. OH! but the 3rd mansion in Morne Daniel continuing to build still. Nothing not stopping that project. No law no constitution.
personally I think that Skerrit plans with de Chinese most likely did not involve de real cultural leaders who have been associated with de Arawak House of Culture and de Cultural Division over de years.
I think that our culture has been neglected over Chinese influence and CBI
After 24 years of dlp role we can clearly see de vision and de present result of that vision.
It’s a shame that our CBI revenues can’t create a vision for culture.
It’s a shame that we have to ask China to design and finance a cultural arts auditorium for us in 2024
wow………..this is 24 years since dlp in power eh
which one will materialize first………..de international airport or a new Arawak house of Culture.
Because of yours truly every building and everything in Dominica will be owned by China including the whole island itself, yours truly is selling the whole island to China. The Chinese flag will soon be flying over the Government HQ.
With all due respect neither Mrs. Nully nor the prime minister should be talking about the structural integrity of the building. That should be left to a structural engineer to determine what needs to be done. They have the expertise to make that determination.
Regardless of renovating the existing building or building anew, I would suggest the more embracing title of “arts” rather than the restrictive title of “culture”.
Culture, for the most part, is what we have learnt to feel comfortable with, whereas “art” seeks to creatively challenge the norm.
Amen. and amen