BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, November 16, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The music, traditional dances, culinary arts and fashion – some of the attributes that encapsulate the rich and proud history of St. Kitts and Nevis – were on full display today, Tuesday, November 16, at the Federation’s National Day ceremony at EXPO 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The National Day ceremony, which was carried live on the social media platforms of St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service (SKNIS) and ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation, was attended by Prime Minister Dr Honourable Timothy Harris and other members of his delegation, including the Honourable Eugene Hamilton; St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador His Excellency Ian Patches Liburd, and the Federation’s Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Justin Hawley.
In delivering remarks at the impressive ceremony, Prime Minister Harris paid tribute to the men and women who continue to uphold and promote the unique Kittitian and Nevisian culture and traditions.
He said, “We were able to see the diversity in our culinary arts being provided here today in the display of the National Dish of St. Kitts and Nevis, excellently prepared by one of our renowned chefs, Chef Gary; our arts reflected in the works of Dennis Richards; our music ably reproduced by Delly Ranks, among others. I commend them all.”
The honourable prime minister further noted that St. Kitts and Nevis Pavilion at EXPO 2020, situated in the Sustainability District, gives visitors more than just a glimpse of the cultural and heritage aspects of Kittitian and Nevisian life. He said it also offers the twin-island Federation a unique opportunity to showcase to the world what St. Kitts and Nevis has to offer, particularly as a leading tourist destination.
“EXPO 2020 gave voice to our abilities and ambitions and allowed us to exchange ideas and to create opportunities to become more connected partners. This is consistent with the theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, Dr. Harris said.
The prime minister continued, “St. Kitts and Nevis is working towards becoming a sustainable and eco-friendly tourism destination, hence our strategic focus during EXPO 2020 on sustainability. We are a small nation with big ambitions. We are resolved to reducing our dependency on fossil fuels by re-orienting our policies, our investments and legislative agenda to accommodate wind, solar and geothermal energy.”
Following the official National Day ceremony, Prime Minister Harris led members of his delegation on a tour of the visually stunning St. Kitts and Nevis Pavilion.
On Wednesday, November 17, Dr. Harris will participate in a ceremony to officially open St. Kitts and Nevis’ Embassy in Abu Dhabi where His Excellency Justin Hawley, the Federation’s Ambassador to the UAE is assigned.