Prime Minister Perry Christie, who officially opened the cultural event on Saturday, encouraged the Ministry of Tourism to “truly understand that on occasions like this, when thousands of Bahamians are gathered – young and old – it is a wonderful setting to bring an international confection and flavour to the Marco City Festival.”
He noted that tourists can come to events like these to enjoy the food prepared, listen to the music, watch the dance and have a real Bahamian experience.
“I have always said and I don’t know how long it’s going to take to prove me right, but I argue that this island of Grand Bahama is the natural island of our Commonwealth to attract hundreds of thousands of people, who not only want to come to have a vacation on the beach in the sun, but who want to have fun,” said Prime Minister Christie.
“But we have to find a way to capture the romance of Grand Bahama and to present that romance to the outside world. And there is no better way to do so, than to do so through inviting people to come in and share these occasions with us as we eat our food, dance our dance, sing our songs and play in the way we play together,” noted the Prime Minister.
“To the organizing committee, City Council representatives, to the administrators, it is so important that you continue to show this unity as you approach these festivals,” advised the Prime Minister.
“It is good,” he added, “for young Bahamians to see us together on the same platform, speaking the same language, speaking in the same spirit and sharing the same fellowship.”
Prime Minister Christie who now has responsibility for Culture, said this kind of togetherness is good for the country, adding that it is also a necessary function in the country.
“And culture is the best form of breaking and setting the ground.”
Member of Parliament for Marco City, Pleasant Bridgewater began the Festival in 2004 to foster unity in the Marco City constituency.
The weekend focuses on Bahamian cultural activities, including story-telling, handicraft and art by local Bahamians.
“Remember that the stories you heard are essential,” said the Prime Minister. “We must continue to tell the stories of those persons who have done good work in our country and showcase the handicrafts of our talented people.”
Prime Minister Christie revealed that The Bahamas earns between $220 to $240 million a year from tourists who buy souvenirs and handicrafts.
“And so, this little function of making craft is something that can translate itself into millions of dollars so that Bahamians, who have the talent, use their talent for their betterment and towards ensuring that others will be able to benefit from this.”
Prime Minister Christie said that when it comes to culture, “it is a free expression of who you are, it doesn’t matter whether you’re FNM or PLP, or you’re Baptist, or Jumper, Catholic or Anglican, because we are talking about a people whose experiences in the dance they perform, the songs they sing, the stories they tell, the clothes they wear, the food they cook and eat – all of which make up a distinct culture and a way of life of this country as it has been over the centuries.
“Therefore, I applaud and congratulate organizers of this event and Pleasant Bridgewater for giving us the opportunity to assemble for such a purpose,” said Prime Minister Christie.
The committee members opened their celebrations during a worship service Wednesday, April 19 at Central Church of God, Coral Road to pray for God’s guidance and protection.
The activities began Friday at Independence Park with a cultural pageant, a new addition to the festival. Seven young ladies between the ages of 13 and 18 years competed for the coveted title of Miss Marco City Heritage Festival.
They received a computer and a Discovery Cruise ticket along with numerous other gifts and prizes.
Following the pageant, the hilarious Hallelujah Boys, David Wallace and Will Stubbs, took to the stage.
On Saturday, festival goers were treated to fireworks and entertainment by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching Band; Opie and The Boys Rake ‘n’ Scrape Band; Quadrille Dancers; Avvy; Elon Moxey and crowd pleasers calypso singers K.B. and Terez.
By BARBARA WALKIN, Senior FN Reporter
