Prime Minister Mia Mottley has declared every Friday for the next 90 days as Barbados Day, calling on Barbadians to wear national colours, fly the flag and join activities marking 60 years of Independence and five years as a Republic on November 30.
In a video address on Tuesday marking the start of the celebrations, Mottley said the milestone, dubbed “60 and 5”, was an opportunity for Barbadians to reflect on the country’s journey while looking ahead.
She said: “We’re approaching 60 years of Independence as a nation and five years as a Republic, what we have come to call our 60 and 5. This is our moment to celebrate how far we have come, remember all that we have overcome [and] look with confidence towards the promise of all that lies ahead.”
Mottley said the celebrations would not wait until Independence Day on November 30.
“Beginning today and going until November 30, let us declare every Friday our Barbados Day. Blue, gold, black, Barbados on display.”
She encouraged Barbadians to wear national colours, display the flag and share photographs on social media with family, friends and colleagues as the country builds momentum towards the anniversary.
“In the coming days we will unveil the official 60 and 5 logo,” Mottley announced, adding that businesses, organisations and community groups would be given details on how to apply to use it.
The celebrations will include a national clean-up and beautification campaign, dubbed Leh We Paint Barbados.
Mottley also announced a national oration competition, “My Voice My Barbados”, for primary, secondary and tertiary students, along with a lecture series and national concert.
Other planned events include a President’s Gala evening, the opening of the Richard Stoute Amphitheatre and the long-awaited Newton Slave Memorial.
Traditional Independence activities are also to return, including the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA), the City lighting ceremony, Spirit of the Nation show, the Food and Rum Festival, the National Parade and Ecumenical Service.
The celebrations will culminate with the Prime Minister’s Cup, the football event that Mottley said Barbadians have “come to love in recent years”.
She said the National Organising Committee would release the full calendar and guide communities and groups wishing to add their own events.
Mottley urged Barbadians to use the next three months “to reflect, to give thanks, and of course to celebrate Barbados and all that is Bajan”.
(SB)
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