NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (August 26, 2021) — The Nevis Culturama Committee has received the green light from the National COVID-19 Task Force to proceed with the rescheduled activities to mark the 47th edition of Culturama. Mr. Antonio Liburd, Executive Director of the Culturama Secretariat and Chair of the Nevis Culturama Committee, announced on August 26th that the activities originally planned for the Emancipation weekend would be rescheduled to the Independence weekend.
However, these activities will be staged virtually — no audience will be allowed; only persons directly involved in the production and performers will be present. All activities will be staged at the David Freeman Centre of Excellence in Market Shop, Gingerland. Patrons will be able to enjoy the events streamed live on the Nevis Culturama Festival Facebook page and YouTube channel, and on Nevis Television’s social media platforms. The Soca Monarch Finals and the Senior Calypso Finals will be streamed pay-per-view, while all other events — calypso tents, soca tents, calypso semi-finals — will be streamed free of cost. The Nevis Cultural Development Foundation’s ‘Culture Pot’ event, a fashion show, and the Ministry of Tourism’s Heritage Day event will also be streamed free.
The schedule of activities: Soca Tent — August 28 from 8 p.m.; Senior Calypso Tent — August 29 at 8 p.m.; Soca Monarch Semi-finals — September 3; Senior Calypso Semi-finals — September 4; Culture Pot (National Heroes’ Day) — September 16; Soca Monarch Finals — September 17; Heritage Day hosted by the Ministry of Tourism — September 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., then Senior Calypso Finals from 7 p.m.; Fashion Expo — September 19; Exposition St. George — September 20 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., followed by a Nevis Theatre Guild dramatic performance repeat at NEPAC. Mr. Liburd acknowledged that the virtual format will pose a major financial challenge since no gate receipts can be collected, but confirmed that sponsors have agreed to support the festival.