The spirit, colours and regalia of Caymanian patriotism will be on full display in Heroes Square on Monday 23 January 2023 for the National Heroes Day Award Ceremony.  The Cayman Islands also celebrates its twentieth anniversary of National Heroes Day, as the holiday was instituted in 2003 during the Quincentennial Celebrations.

The theme for the 2023 National Heroes Day Awards Ceremony is Volunteerism and Charitable Services and includes over 200 honourees in the categories of Early Pioneer, Pioneer, Philanthropist and Charitable Organisations. Premier Hon. G. Wayne Panton stated “this year, we honour the selflessness of our volunteers, the goodwill of our charitable service groups, and the unwavering strength of our early contributors in building our communities and, ultimately, our country. To know our National Heroes is to know ourselves: our Caymanian values, our attitudes, and what fuels our culture of kindness and generosity.”

“National Heroes Day remains a significant part of our collective history, and we will continue to celebrate those who make a difference in our communities in the decades to come”, he ended.

Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage Hon. Bernie Bush spoke to the cultural importance of National Heroes Day, stating that the holiday “empowers our nation, as we acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding contributions made by our own citizens to our community. On this, the twentieth anniversary of National Heroes Day, we recognise individuals and entities under the theme of volunteerism and charitable services. We honour these persons for their great commitment to serving our community by tirelessly giving themselves and their time to improve the quality for life for all of us. Their contributions emphasize our national values and cultural spirit of helping others.”

Festivities will begin with the traditional National Heroes Day parade featuring contingents from the Cayman Islands Uniformed Services and local club organisations from the Government Administration Building to Heroes Square. The award ceremony will take place and will be followed by the post-event Party Village in the parking lot adjacent to the George Town Public Library. Local food vendors and performers will be on hand to provide complimentary refreshments and entertainment to vendors free of charge.

The public is invited to attend in person and can also listen live on Radio Cayman or watch the ceremony on the Cayman Islands Government YouTube Channel.