Springer Memorial celebrated Season of Emancipation

The importance of culture to a society like Barbados cannot be overemphasised, and is an area that must always be supported. This was the message shared by principal of the Springer Memorial School, Mitchelle Maxwell, as she delivered brief remarks during the school’s Cultural Extravaganza Day held on Tuesday.

The day, which featured a host of cultural presentations, including performances from the Barbados Police Service Band, Israel Lovell Foundation, and a special presentation of the school’s masquerade band who were participating in this year’s SigniaGlobe Financial Junior Masquerade Project.

While speaking to students, Maxwell said that the role of culture in Barbados is a deeply rooted one, which goes beyond the limits of the Crop Over season.

“The importance of culture in our lives is undeniable… culture is what a society lives on, and each society can see its culture reflected in its language, folktales, music, literature and food. This expression of culture is the definition and the determinant of the kind of society that it is and the way others view it.

Principal Maxwell emphasized that though the idea of culture has many aspects to it, it has and continues to be rooted in being the foundation to a society’s social identity and resilience in the face of adversity.

“This struggle can be represented through vivid colour in costumes, the rhythm in dance, the beat of the drum, the smell and taste of our food and the sheer beauty and intuitiveness of our people. These intrinsic elements are an inextricable link that have given root to resilience and purpose.”

She added: “This Season of Emancipation provides the perfect backdrop for us to celebrate. It is the opportunity for us to deepen our sense of social awareness, and cause us to learn to appreciate the cultural richness and diversity of our people.”

Minister with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, who is also a former student of the school, also mirrored remarks made by Maxwell, and said that the Barbadian society as we know it was built on a resilience that has made the nation what it is today.

“There is a heritage within this society of a Barbados that understands what it is to struggle, understands what it is as well to be resilient and understands what it is as well to come out of the other side and to forge a nation that today in the context of 166 square miles stands tall in the global area. This is who we are as Barbadians.”

“Therefore, the very fact that the school was able to ground the cultural extravaganza in the context of the Season of Emancipation, is something I believe we should also herald.”    

The senator also expressed a hope to see similar cultural exhibitions being undertaken at more schools next year for the Emancipation season. (SB)