Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Apr 22, 2025

PHOTOS: Festival opens! Two honoured for longstanding contribution

The Emancipation festivities officially kicked off last night with the Virgin Islands Festivals and Fairs Committee (VIFFC) honouring two individuals for their longstanding contribution to upholding BVI culture in the territory.

Bernard ‘Yampi’ Nibbs was celebrated for his contribution of more than 30 years to festival celebrations. In honour of Yampi, the VIFFC decided to name this year’s festival village the Bernard ‘Yampi’ Festiville.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Yampi said this year will be a great year, not only because he was honoured with a plaque for his service, but because the festival committee named the village after him.

“That is why this year will be a good year. Ladies and gentlemen, tonight the village is officially open. Yes, I say officially open. You all know it’s been three years since we did not have a carnival and tonight, we have a carnival. So, sit back relax and enjoy the carnival. God spare our life tomorrow; Yampi will be in the House with ball inside,” Nibbs said.

Bernard ‘Yampi’ Nibbs being honoured for decades of service to the BVI’s emancipation festivities. This year’s festival village has been named in his honour.


Meanwhile, Harriet Rivera from Virgin Gorda was also honoured for her significant contribution to pageantry and the annual August Monday parade.

Rivera, in her earlier years, held the title of Miss BVI High School and Miss Bold and Beautiful Queen on Virgin Gorda.

Her love for pageantry extended and she worked tirelessly behind the scenes chaperoning contestants for the Prince and Princess show and Miss BVI pageant. She was also one of the founders of the Ministry of Education Troupe now known as Classique Troupe.

Harriet Rivera of Virgin Gorda.


Acting Premier Kye Rymer delivered opening remarks on behalf of Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley who was away on official business in the United Kingdom.

He said it is about two years since there have not been any celebrations because of COVID-19 and he was elated to be opening a physical emancipation village.

Minister for Culture Sharie De Castro said it was an honour to declare the emancipation period open.

“Over the last two years, we had to celebrate our emancipation virtually and we are truly happy this year we are physically able to commemorate this important milestone in our Virgin Islands’ history. I believe our freedom must consistently be recognised,” De Castro said.

Meanwhile, Governor John Rankin expressed his delight in attending the opening ceremony and what it meant to celebrate the freedom emancipation brought.

“I am delighted to see the festival grounds lit up in this way for the celebration to come. I was here last year but was not able to mark the holiday in this way because of COVID and thank God we are in a position to meet again like this and have the events which are planned over the following days,” Rankin said.

“I, of course, recognised the importance of the emancipation events and I come here with a sense of humility in joining you for that purpose, but it is right to remember the past and celebrate the freedom that has been gained and I join you in doing so this evening. I look forward to attending a number of the events, I hope, over the coming days,” the Governor added.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Nightlife in the streets of Manchester
In God We Profit
Cultural Battles in the Vatican: The Candidates in the Battle for the Holy See and Pope Francis's Testament
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
Wild Chimpanzees Observed Bonding Over Alcoholic Fruit
US Federal Reserve Chair Issues Warning on Tariff Impact
UK Prison Officers Demand Electric Stun Guns Amid Safety Concerns
China, China, China!
Australian National Charged as Mercenary for Fighting in Ukraine
Israel Considers Limited Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Facilities Amid Diplomatic Efforts
Prince Andrew Joins Royal Family Attends Easter Sunday Service at Windsor Castle
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
Trump is assembling a coalition of Western leaders aligned with the MAGA vision, strengthening a unified front for global change
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Here’s a police officer with a brilliant gift for swift education
"Some complain that we put thousands in prison. In reality, we set millions free."
This is Vienna, Austria in 2025.
Boeing Jet Returns to US from China Amid Tariff War
Canadian Federal Election: Candidates' Positions on US-Canada Relations and Donald Trump
Resentencing Hearing for Menendez Brothers Who Killed Their Parents Delayed Amid Legal Disputes
Australian Woman Gives Birth To Stranger's Baby In IVF Mix-up
US Sets Deadline for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Brokerage
Italy Introduces 'Sex Rooms' in Prisons for Inmates
California Launches Legal Challenge Against Trump Administration's Tariffs
"Groundless": China Dismisses Zelensky's Claims It's Supplying Arms To Russia
UK Psytrance Festival Cancelled Amid Local Protests Over Noise Concerns
French Far-Right Writer Renaud Camus Denied Entry to UK
UK Police Force Updates Search Policy for Trans Individuals in Custody
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Meets with Donald Trump to Discuss EU-US Trade Tensions
Canada's Federal Party Leaders Engage in Final Debate Ahead of General Election
Ukraine and US Sign Outline of Minerals Deal
Fast Food Chain Refuses to Apologize for Online Comment About Katy Perry's Space Voyage
New York Attorney General Letitia James Faces Criminal Referral for Alleged Mortgage Fraud
Mark Cuban admits support for Trump executive order: ‘Gotta be honest’
US Senator Meets with Deported Immigrant in El Salvador Amid Custody Dispute
U.S. State Department Raises El Salvador’s Safety Ranking, Making It Safer Than France and Other European Nations
UK Government Assumes Control of British Steel's Scunthorpe Plant Amid Shutdown Threat
UK MP Wera Hobhouse Denied Entry to Hong Kong During Family Visit
Bangladesh Issues Arrest Warrant for UK MP Tulip Siddiq
China Urges United States to Cancel Tariffs Amid Escalating Trade Tensions
The Empire’s USD Pyramid Scheme Is Working Brilliantly—So Why ‘Fix’ It?
China Raises Tariffs on U.S. Goods to 125% Amid Escalating Trade Dispute
Elon Musk Reports $150 Billion in Projected Government Savings Amid Fraud Investigations
U.S. and Panama Finalize Defense Agreements Amid Canal Access and Chinese Influence Concerns
China Stands Firm Amidst Trade Disputes with the US: A Factual Analysis
U.S. Tariff Escalation Sparks Global Trade Tensions
Helicopter crashes in NYC with four people on board.
Australia Dismisses China's Suggestion to Collaborate Against US Tariffs
EU Postpones Response to US Tariffs
×