From The Voice

Northern Island celebrates Caribbean community in celebrated at inaugural event

Northern Ireland has created its first official Caribbean festival to commemorate Emancipation Day (August 1), regional integration and the camaraderie of the Caribbean, particularly those of Caribbean decent in Northern Ireland.

Called CaribbeanFest, the new celebration is supported by the Consulate of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to Northern Ireland, Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, Equality Commission, volunteers and artists from the Caribbean Diaspora.

Also the venture is being carried out in partnership with the registered charity African Caribbean Support Organisation Northern Ireland (ACSONI) and Association of Caribbean Nationals (ACAN).

The inaugural event saw a Caribbean food festival, cultural exhibition, concert and cricket match to support social integration, cohesion and cross-community partnerships.

The main countries involved were St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Lucia; promoting their history, culture, food and life in and amongst Northern Ireland communities.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir and Dr Christopher Stange, consul for St. Vincent and the Grenadines and chair of ACSONI attended the event, along with a host of artists, including Cacao, Prince Marcus, Clover Watts, Paul Brown, Raquel McKee, and Philip Robinson.

Speaking at the festival, Dr Stange said: “I would like to take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the invaluable contribution made by members of the Caribbean community in Northern Ireland to society, the economy and civic life.

“The passion, commitment and capabilities of members of this community cannot be overemphasised.

“On behalf of the SVG government, I am delighted to extend my profound sentiments to all our Caribbean neighbours and our wonderful civilization. We pay tribute to a great region of the world and its great people.”

PHOTO: FIRST FESTIVAL: Attendees at the Northern Irish CaribbeanFest

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