by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
Thirty-one years ago from November 3rd, 2009, Dominica attained its independence from Great Britain. On that night, back in November 1978, witnessed by thousands of Dominicans at the then Windsor Park playing field, Dominica joined the over one hundred and thirty (130) member countries of the Commonwealth Nations in running its own affairs. No longer did England have rule over the internal affairs of our island home.
This year’s theme, ‘Celebrating Progress and Development’ called on the many Dominicans both here and abroad to take a moment or two to look back at where we came from back in 1978 to where we are and to take stock of the progress and development that have taken place. Indeed, Dominica has come a long way after setbacks like Hurricane David in 1979, less than a year after Dominica attained its independence. Then again throughout the 1980’s, although no major hurricane had adversely affected Dominica like that of Hurricane David, our major income earner, bananas, continued to suffer, first from storms during the hurricane season then the loss of preferential treatment to our bananas.
It meant that Dominica had to seek alternative means to accrue income from various forms of agricultural imports and other foreign income earners.
The tourism sector began to expand and still continues to grow today. Strong fiscal policies along with grants from foreign neighbours and organisations have helped stay the economy even in the midst of global recession.
The activities this year for Independence 2009 followed on the heels of a successful Reunion 2008 and left many wondering whether the activities would live up to the grandeur of what transpired the previous year. However, it was never the intention of the Cultural Division and the Ministry of Community Development to compete against itself and so, the official start to the activities took place on Saturday, 26th September, 2009. The usual cultural semi-finals and finals, primary and secondary schools sports meet were held around the island with the finals of the schools’ sports meet taking place at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.
Every Friday in October, Dominicans were encouraged to dress in their Creole Wear and the grand finally of things, Creole Day brought out the many forms of Creole Dressing in all its splendour.
This year, the annual Youth Rally was held on Friday, 23rd October, 2009. This year, the youth were, for the first time, allowed to sit during the ceremony until the time of the march past. Awards for deserving students both in sports and academics were handing out at ceremony while the keynote address was delivered by an aspiring youth from Wesley, Alvin Alexander, a former student of the North East Comprehensive School.
Samantha Yankey of Marigot was judged Miss Wob Dwiyet 2009 in the early hours of Friday, 30th October, 2009. That selfsame week, LIME formerly Cable and Wireless staged what can be regarded as the biggest Creole in the Park, the seventh (7th) such year the activity was held.
The World Creole Music Festival placed an exclamation mark on the activities for the month of October.
The annual National Day Parade of uniformed groups was held in the morning of November 3rd in view of hundreds of Dominicans while thousands of citizens braved the afternoon weather to turn out for the annual cultural gala at the Botanic Gardens.
With the rains threatening, many more could be done on Community Day of Service, November 4th, yet, many residents still turned out to assist in some project in their community. Here is this year’s independence activity in colour and pictures.
Here is a summary of the activities in pictures. |
