The greetings and messages of goodwill came from as far as Beijing, China, and Geneva, Switzerland.
The connecting themes were linked to a French author, and even the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen.
But what was evident at the Parliament Buildings in the capital of Bridgetown on Friday night was everything that is uniquely Barbadian, and why it holds the key to the island’s future.
The upstairs section of the West Wing of the third oldest Parliament in the British Commonwealth is usually reserved for political figures to meet, but Friday night, the sweet sounds of local folk music filled the air, and the young voices of the Blackman And Gollop Primary School Choir could be heard across Marhill Street.
A few yards away, a sno-cone vendor packed ice into cups as a short line wound its way back to the steps of the House of Assembly. Over by the back gate of the historic building, people listened as a couple dressed in traditional Barbadian clothing belted out Come Down When I Call Yah, Come Down.
This was Parliament like never seen before,
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Parliamentarians and other public officials at the launch of Vision 2020. (Pictures by Reco Moore.)
Roshanna Trim and Ali Kothdiwala encouraged young Barbadians to play their part in getting the country back on track.
The Blackman and Gollop Primary School Choir performing.
Players “slamming a dom” in Parliament Yard on Friday for the launch of Vision 2020.
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and Prime Minister Mia Mottley used it as her administration’s launchpad for her Vision 2020 project, aimed at attracting the best of Barbados back to its shores for a special celebration and future accomplishments.
Mottley took the microphone to urge all Barbadians, wherever they were, from Africa to Europe, to come back, even call or pass on their knowledge and ability in any way possible, to once again allow their little island to punch above its weight.
In a video presentation, former Ambassador to China, Chelston Brathwaite, cited one French author who would always return to the village where he was born before starting his next great book, and advised Barbadians to return to their roots, where they felt most at home and most inspired.
Emcee Sherwood McCaskie, reading from an old-fashioned scroll on which the names of Barbadian icons were inscribed, gave synopses of contributions Barbadians have made, starting with National Heroes Sir Grantley Adams, Sir Garfield Sobers and the Father of Independence, Errol Walton Barrow, and moving on to draughts supremo Ronald “Suki” King and singing superstar Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
It was also revealed that Vision 2020 would include all 11 parishes showing the best they have to offer from next January. The presentations will start with St Lucy, which will be followed in succeeding months by St Peter, St Thomas, St Joseph, St John, St George, St Philip, St Andrew, St James, Christ Church, and St Michael. There will then be a month of nationwide celebrations in November, the month of Independence. (BA)
It was also revealed that Vision 2020 would include all 11 parishes showing the best they have to offer from next January
Prime Minister Mia Mottley chatting with a group of men in the Parliament Yard on Friday night.
