Speaking passionately on a resolution for Government to compulsory acquire several parcels of land for the erection of a heritage village and construction of a freedom monument in Rock Hall, St Thomas, Arthur told the House of Assembly yesterday Crop-Over must not be seen only as about calypso tents and partying.

"I would like to see more aspects of the celebration of Emancipation embedded in the Crop-Over season and schoolchildren must be told that it is not just about tents and calypsos on the road and fetes, Sir.

"But that a predominantly black nation recognises that an entire season ought to be devoted to the celebration of black people Emanciaption – the Emancipation of black people from slavery," he said.

Arthur said while he was pleased that an agreement had been reached for the Crop-Over and Emancipation festivals to be part of the same process, there was a need for Barbadians to see these events beyond the party element.

"The Crop-Over festival has a significance and must come to have a significance, Mr Speaker. Not just as a pageant celebrating the end of a season, but it must have a significance as a festival and a pageant to allow Barbadians to respect and celebrate Emancipation."

He spoke about the country's recognition of Independence, noting Government must continue to project its celebration.

"Similarly so, the celebration of our Independence must continue to be refreshed, revitalised, to enable us to use the concept of Independence as a building block in building a just, prosperous society.

"One of the most important landmarks that ranks with Emancipation is enabling us to know where we are today."

The Prime Minister called for more involvement in the celebrations by institutions.