Preserve local art forms, says ministry official

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Community Development Donna Ferraz is calling for the preservation of local art forms using technology. Speaking to reporters at a thanksgiving service to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Prime Minister’s Best Village trophy competition yesterday, Ferraz said some traditional games such as marble pitch were becoming lost. She said the ministry was thinking about preserving the game by making it into a computer game.

She added that many traditions were becoming extinct and the Best Village competition was an ideal opportunity to preserve heritage. She added that the competition also bolstered community team spirit and camaraderie. She noted that a host of community mediation programmes were being introduced in several parts of the country in association with non-governmental organisations.

“We recognise that we can only build the nation if we build our communities one at a time,” Ferraz said. More than $2 million will be spent to host the competition which will be launched next Wednesday. A recognition service will also be held to honour past achievers of the Prime Minister’s Best Village competition. Ferraz also noted that photographic exhibitions, culinary arts, dance, and other cultural art forms will be held.

The thanksgiving ceremony was attended by president of the Inter Religious Organisation Noble Khan, as well as coordinator of Best Village Gwendolyn Salick. Several southern performers entertained the crowd, including the Ibis Dance Company who performed Ready for War, Shashamane Cultural Ensemble of Santa Flora, La Divina Pastora Group and the St Croix Children Group who performed Mary Had A Baby.