Preparations are moving into high gear for the holding of several key events in the coming days to mark the 40th anniversary of the advent of the Grenada Revolution on 13 March 1979.
The first major event, Champs in Concert, kicks off on Saturday evening, 9 March at the Grenada Trade Centre, Morne Rouge. Bro Valentino, the veteran Grenadian-born, Trinidad-based calypsonian, will be flying in this Thursday, 7 March to share Saturday’s stage with local counterparts Black Wizard, Ajamu, Scholar, Rootsman Kelly, Skylark and other veterans. This year Black Wizard celebrates a landmark 50 years composing and singing calypso.
The Trade Centre again comes alive on 12 March with the 4th Annual March 13th Lecture to be delivered by the distinguished and articulate former Prime Minister of St Lucia, Dr Kenny Anthony. Dr Anthony, also a former Senior Law Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West indies Cave Hill Campus, will address the topic “The Grenada Revolution – Beyond Grenada”.
Norton’s Hall and its environs on Church Street, will be transformed next week for an Exhibition on the Grenada Revolution, featuring photographs, audio and video recordings, clothing and documents from the period 1979-1983. The exhibition, which runs from 13-15 March will highlight the developments in agriculture, agro-industries, education, tourism, infrastructure, workers’ rights, popular democracy and other areas during its 4 ½ years. It is expected to feature the largest and widest cross-section of materials ever displayed since the collapse of the revolution in 1983.
Opportunities will be given this week for several persons to win free tickets to Saturday’s show in exchange for correctly answering questions in the radio and TV quiz.
Other activities during the next 10 days include a Youth Parliament (13 March), Book Launch, Quiz on radio and TV, and public education sessions. On 12 March, TAMCC will host a discussion on the revolution led by Dr Wendy Grenade, Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
Activities for the 40th Anniversary are spearheaded by the Grenada Revolution Celebrations Committee which comprises 6 co-chairpersons namely, Ruggles Ferguson, Attorney-at Law and Interim President of the Grenada Revolution Memorial Foundation (GREMFO); Glen Noel, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress; Dr Malachi Dottin, a Cuban trained Plant Biotechnologist and Chairperson of the North West Development Authority; Brian Lindsay-Campbell, a leading member of the now-defunct Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement (MBPM); Dr Wendy Grenade, Senior Lecturer in Political Science at University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus; and Dr Winston Thomas, a Cuban trained medical doctor and President of the Grenada-Venezuelan Friendship society. Each co-chairperson heads a specific area of the work being undertaken for the 40th Anniversary.
Grenada Revolution Celebrations Committee
