The Celtic Festival Barbados is back following a two-year break on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The music festival celebrating the links between the Celtic countries of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Nova Scotia, shall be held between May 12 and 15 when a series of entertaining events shall be held.
Barbados Celtic Festival Director Jeana Leslie said during Wednesday’s launch at Blakey’s Bar and Restaurant, Hastings, Christ Church, that because the festival returns this 12 months, organisers have been hosting workshops in the faculties to reveal Barbadian children to the Celtic culture.
Leslie said there shall be a street parade on Saturday, including members of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) Band.
The parade will start at Jubilee Gardens and can end on the Golden Square Freedom Park. Following the parade, a night of entertainment shall be held at Blakey’s. On Sunday, the Celtic Festival organisers shall be partnering with the Barbados Mountain climbing Association for a hike on the East Coast, after which a night event shall be held at Tapas Restaurant.
“Being back in Barbados is totally wonderful. We’ve had some tricky times during the last two years and it’s been slightly little bit of a tough journey to get here, but we’re absolutely delighted to be back.
We’re going to come back stronger, we’re going to rebuild, we’re going to grow like everyone on the island is attempting to do. Our festival is about being inclusive and fusing our culture and having a excellent time,” Leslie said.
Director of Marketing on the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI), Robert Chase, said the re-emergence of the Celtic Festival shows the strong bond that exists between the UK and Barbados.
Chase indicated that while the UK continues to be Barbados’ largest source market, tourism officials have been listening to tremendous growth out of Ireland and Scotland. Chase said the festival is an example of what’s involved in cultural exchange.
“We look ahead to the week ahead with the Celtic Festival and we encourage them to make use of this as a rebuilding period and
to drive new sense of travel and new sense of exchange of cultures.
We all know that there’s a strong connection between the 2 communities and this Celtic Festival is certain to grow from strength to strength,” Chase said.
Mount Gay’s Marketing Manager, Anies Jordan, while delivering remarks on the launch, said the corporate was proud to be a significant sponsor of the Celtic Festival.
She said Mount Gay was looking forward to the fusion of art and cuisine between Barbados and Scotland.
“We’re seeing that it will be a wonderful and successful event this 12 months and we’re very comfortable and proud to be a component of this culture, and we’re looking forward to many more years to return,” Jordan said. (AH)
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