Dominicans came together last night not just to remember one of the worst periods of their modern history, but also to give thanks for the ability to recover from it.
The island’s Windsor Park Stadium in the heart of the capital proved as the perfect place to bring the country together in dance and song, one day after the two-year anniversary of the passing of Hurricane Maria.
The special event was attended by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, president Charles Savarin, members of the island’s Cabinet, and specially invited guests, inclusive of the Barbados Coast Guard, represented by a contingent aboard the HMBS Rudyard Lewis.
The event brought back hard memories for some, as videos were shown of the intense devastation that Hurricane Maria brought with it, and some of the human resources were affected.
During the multiple two-minute presentations, eyes remained fixed on two large stage-side screens, with tears flowing freely.
Still, Dominicans, a strongly religious people, were told to remain steadfast in their efforts to slowly but surely rebuild the country, but more importantly, to maintain their faith in the Almighty God.
“Let us give praise to God. Let us give praise in all things, and place all things in God’s hands. Great things God has done, is doing. and will continue to do,” Reverend Morna Christmas Frazer, Superintendent of the Dominica Methodist Church, told the building crowd early on in the event.
The event also proved to be a strong show of political support for Skerrit and the Dominica Labour Parrty he leads, as hundreds in attendance at the Hope and Celebration event wore the party’s unmistakable red t-shirts.
Skerrit also came in for thunderous applause when he and his spouse Melissa were introduced to those on hand.
Barbados was also represented in song by former Calypso King, Edwin Yearwood, who left Dominicans moving in unison during a ten-minute performance, and international producer and musician, Nicholas Brancker on keyboard.
One of the most impressive performances of the day came from the youngest on hand, as the Dominic’s Children’s Choir, 45 children strong, and under the direction of Cedric Phillip, left the audience in a trance with their brief, but virtuoso performance of ‘My Favourite Things’, backed by the Dominica All-StarBand.
