National Treasures of St Vincent and the Grenadines hosted a media launch at the UWI Open Campus on Murray’s Road, Kingstown on Tuesday, 30th June 2015 at 9.30 a.m. The non profit organisation held the event to introduce itself to Vincentians and to let them know what National Treasures is all about. National Treasures of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ focus is primarily the intangible, but also the tangible cultural heritage of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The organisation registered as a non profit company in November 2014 and the Board of National Treasures is made up of the following: Chairperson: Anthony Theobalds, Deputy Chairperson: Deirdre Myers, Treasurer: Tony Regisford, Secretary: Carlita Daniel, Director: John Horne; and Honorary Member and Special Advisor: Sir Errol Allen.
At the launch a background of the National Treasures and its work was presented and an excerpt was shown from Treasured Memories- part of an interview with Alston Becket Cyrus about his career, history with carnival and singing calypso then soca; and the change from pre-Lent season Carnival to June/July thirty eight years ago in 1977.
The guests at the launch were treated to a rare unplugged performance from our own National Treasure- Alston Becket Cyrus. ‘Becket’ performed several of his best loved tunes, accompanying himself on the guitar. He began with his recent hit song ‘Mo Rush’ released to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of his song ‘Gal a Rush Me’. Then he sang ‘Vincy Mas’ and asked for requests from the audience, which came thick and fast. He sang St Vincent, I Love you, Love is the Answer, Hezekiah, Sweet Soca, Teaser and Carnival History. Becket’s performance was loudly applauded by the very appreciative audience.
The Prime Minister, Dr the Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves delivered some remarks and give support to National Treasures. He talked about the Government Endorsement of National Treasures and of the need for such organisations and the work they do.
Dr Gonsalves also restated his wish to see History as a core subject on the curriculum in our schools for all students from primary to secondary up to CXE level.
The Prime Minister also pledged his personal support for National Treasures and gave a cheque for his membership donation; while urging all Vincentians to support National Treasures by donating and or joining the organisation to assist with its work.
Dr Gonsalves then assisted in unveiling the National Treasures’ logo on a standing banner generously donated by Multigraphics. He was then presented with a polo shirt printed with the logo. Polo shirts were also given to Mr Derry Williams of the Bank of SVG who has provided financial assistance to National Treasures and Ms Desiree Richards of Metrocint General Insurance Services Ltd. who sponsored the media launch.
The light refreshments which were served at the launch served to showcase some items which we rarely see nowadays such as arrowroot starch cakes and lime balls.
Since then the work of National Treasures has continued alongside promoting the organisation and continuing to seek financial assistance. One of the first initiatives is the planning, plotting and documenting of Kingstown to develop the first of the Heritage Walks. The Kingstown Heritage Walk has two routes: Route One from the Cruise ship Terminal/Harbour Club area to White Chapel and Route Two from White Chapel to Rose Place/Nine Steps. Once the routes for the Kingstown Heritage Walk are ready- mapped and scripted- they intend to offer them as educational and recreational activities to school students, locals and tourists/visitors.
The work on the Kingstown Heritage Walks has led to National Treasures spearheading a Clean-up Kingstown Campaign which has recently conducted a clean-up of the area around Victoria Park for Independence. The Clean-up Kingstown Committee includes entities such as the Kingstown Town Board, the Public Health Department, CWSA, BRAGSA, the Ministry of Tourism, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Invest SVG, National Trust, the St Vincent Port Authority and the Physical Planning Dept.
A similar exercise for Christmas is being planned and they are working in conjunction with the Nine Mornings’ Committee who are engaged in the preparation of Kingstown for the Nine Mornings’ festivities to be launched on Sunday, 29th November 2015. There will be a clean-up exercise; and the lighting up and decorating outside the Administrative Offices Complex on Bay Street and Market area and around the Court House; Halifax Street and Heritage Square has been proposed.
The aim is to ensure that our Capital City is a clean and pleasant environment for tourists- especially from the cruise ships; but moreover that Kingstown is a Capital City of which Vincentians can be proud and in which ‘we can happily carry out our business, go to work or school and/or just visit for pleasure’.
The other National Treasures’ work projects currently ongoing are the ‘Treasured Memories’: interviewing via audio and/or video older Vincentians recounting aspects of their lives and/or of specific events; the creation of a ‘Treasure Trove’ with written biographies of Vincentians and others who have contributed to the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and its people; and the collection and collation of any materials relevant to the cultural heritage of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
National Treasures of St Vincent and the Grenadines: Protecting, Preserving, Promoting our Vincentian Cultural Heritage.
November 2015.