NCF TO LAUNCH SAILORS’ VALENTINES ANIMATION FOR UNESCO INTERNATIONAL INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE DAY

Rooted in Barbados’ rich cultural heritage, Sailors’ Valentines preserve a story of traditional craftsmanship, the knowledge of Black Barbadian women and the enduring relationship between people and the marine environment. On October 17, the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) will celebrate this distinctive heritage with the launch of a new animation marking UNESCO International Intangible Cultural Heritage Day, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the traditions and cultural knowledge that connect generations and shape our national identity.

The animation forms part of the NCF’s We Ting Animation series, which celebrates Barbadian intangible cultural heritage (ICH) through engaging storytelling that documents and promotes the knowledge, skills and traditions that define us as a people.

Sailors’ Valentines are intricate decorative keepsake boxes adorned with carefully arranged shells and seeds. Chief Cultural Officer Andrea Wells explains, “While these distinctive creations are widely associated with sailors and international maritime travel, they were traditionally made by Black Barbadian women from the late 1800s. Their story highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Black women to craft and knowledge traditions, while revealing the cultural connections fostered through maritime exchange.”

The tradition also illustrates how communities draw on their natural surroundings for creative expression, transforming materials from the marine environment into objects of cultural significance and passing related skills and knowledge from one generation to the next.

Written and narrated by Paula Harper-Grant, animated by Rommel Cumberbatch, and featuring music by Nicholas Brancker, the production brings this remarkable tradition to life, inviting audiences to discover the craftsmanship and stories behind these treasured objects.

The launch comes as Barbados prepares to celebrate 60 years of Independence and the fifth anniversary of becoming a Republic on November 30, 2026. Chief Executive Officer Carol A. M. Roberts stresses, “As the nation reflects on its journey and evolving identity, the NCF’s recognition of intangible cultural heritage provides Barbadians, at home and across the Diaspora, an opportunity to reconnect with the traditions, histories and cultural expressions that link generations and contribute to our shared sense of belonging.”

From October 17, the animation will be available on the NCF’s official YouTube channel and website. It will also be hosted on the official UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage webpage as part of a global campaign advocating for the recognition and safeguarding of ICH.

Series producer and NCF Research Officer Michelle Springer explains, “This international platform will help bring greater visibility to a distinctive Barbadian tradition and highlight the importance of cultural practices in connecting communities, histories and environments around the world.”

Through We Ting, the NCF continues to explore innovative ways to share Barbados’ cultural heritage, keeping its stories, knowledge and traditions accessible and meaningful for future generations.

For more information, contact Research Officer, Michelle Springer at 417-6628 or michelle-springer@ncfbarbados.org (PR)