Barbados becomes a Republic at midnight

All systems are a go for The Grand Cultural Celebration and the Declaration of Republic and Installation of the President slated to start at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

The cultural celebration features the debut of the newly-reconstructed National Youth Steel Orchestra which has 100 plus pan players aged 8 to adults. Under the musical direction of Lowrey Worrell, the orchestra will play many of the traditional Bajan favourites as we celebrate the island’s 55th year of Independence and usher in our historic Parliamentary Republic.

The Steel Orchestra will be performing in Independence Square.

Then at 8:30 p.m., we move over to Heroes Square where the creme de la creme of Bajan talent including the likes of Biggie Irie, TC, Edwin, Peter Ram and more will be performing with a band under the leadership of musical director Dr. Nicholas Brancker.

Around 11 p.m. there will be the officialdom. The ceremony and pomp will see the Installation of our first President Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason. Present will be His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall who arrived on island last night.

After the President is installed and Barbados is officially declared a Republic at the stroke of midnight, a spectacular fireworks display will go off on location at three significant locations.

1. In Checker Hall St Lucy in honour of the Father of Independence Errol Walton Barrow, in Bathsheba.
2. In Bathsheba, St Joseph in honour of our first premier who introduced Adult Suffrage Sir Grantley Adams.
3. And at East Point in St Philip in honour of our new President Dame Sandra Mason.

Tonight’s events will be streamed live on all major news and information social media platform: PMO, GIS, NCF, VOB, CBC, Barbados TODAY, The Nation Barbados, Loop Barbados and live on CBC TV 8. You can watch this historic occasion from the comfort of your home.

All of this action can also be viewed from watching a number of community screens that have been placed across the island. Those places are Mahica Playing Field, Speightstown, St Peter, the Desmond Haynes Sports Complex, Holder’s Hill, St James, Oistins, Christ Church, and St Catherine’s Sports and Social Club, St Philip.

If you gather to watch the screens, kindly ensure you adhere to all the COVID 19 protocols. Wear your mask, keep your distance and sanitise. (PR)