NASSAU, The Bahamas – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Charles Maynard congratulated straw artists and business persons who will be housed in the new Nassau Straw Market, calling them “tradition bearers” and stating that they ensure that “this treasured Bahamian tradition lives on.”
“Further we are pleased to present them with a new market from which to showcase the brilliance of Bahamian culture to the world,” Minister Maynard said at the Opening Ceremony, on December 21, 2011. “Once again you are provided with a permanent home.”
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham officially opened the structure and several Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senators, international dignitaries and senior government officials attended the event.
Minister Maynard added that he was especially honoured to be a part of the historic occasion that evening, which was, he said, at a very special time of the year.
“In a few days, we will be saying good bye to 2011 and all the trials that it brought,” Minister Maynard said. “Tonight, we say good bye to 10 years of uncertainty, 10 years of debate about where, when, why and how the new market should be built and 10 years of occupying a temporary site that has had many challenges.”
He said that as 2012 approaches, all Bahamians look forward to a new year of opportunities. Minister Maynard said that his wish is that in the new market they can also look forward to greater unity and professionalism.
“For many decades, the straw market has been the cultural centrepiece of the downtown Nassau experience, eagerly anticipated by thousands of visitors each year,” Minister Maynard said. “This ‘pride of place’ is only fitting, as the straw industry is one of the oldest industries in The Bahamas, and as historian Grace Turner noted, one of the oldest surviving Bahamian traditions.”
Minister Maynard said that for those Bahamians of African descent, their ancestors from the continent of Africa manifested their resourcefulness by creating many of the functional items that they needed from the most plentiful natural material to be found in the islands.
“Today, the quality of our straw work speaks to an artistry and finesse that is unique to The Bahamas and we as Bahamians should be justly proud,” he said.
“It is our hope that this will not only be a permanent home for our ‘Tourism Ambassadors’, but also for Bahamian culture, heritage and history,” Minister Maynard added. “Let us pledge to continue to celebrate those things which are Bahamian and spring from us.
“Then we make ourselves proud and we give our visitors a ‘true-true’ Bahamian experience while here and a unique souvenir to remind them of their stay.”
By ERIC ROSE
Bahamas Information Services
