Welcome Home: Looking Ahead to ‘We Gatherin’ Barbados 2020’
by Karen Rollins Dec 30, 2019
Barbadians living all over the world are being invited back to the island to celebrate the ‘We Gatherin’ 2020’ event.
The year-long campaign, which was conceived by Prime Minister Mia Mottley and officially launched at the Independence Day parade in 2018, is being labelled as an “all-inclusive Bajan homecoming.”
According to the event’s official website: “We Gatherin’ will focus on rebuilding that spirit of community at the core of our traditional Barbadian way of life. It will provide opportunities for all Barbadians to celebrate, participate and invest in events and projects across the entire island.”
It adds that the experience is for “Bajans by birth, Bajans by descent, Bajans by choice… and those who love Barbados.”
For every month of 2020, all of Barbados’ 11 parishes will take turns to hold special events, festivals and concerts, to celebrate and unite Bajans from all walks of life.
Each parish will have its own theme which reflects some of the elements which make up Barbadian life and culture such as ‘sugar’, ‘heritage’ and ‘nature’.
Barbados’ northernmost parish, St Lucy, will start the action-packed ‘We Gatherin’ 2020’ calendar of events under the theme ‘faith’.
Below are some of the activities scheduled so far in St Lucy:
1 January: ‘Gather’ at De Bay, Old Time Picnic’, River Bay
7 January: The Salvation Army hosts a mental health awareness lecture in Checker Hall
11 January: ‘Dance Lucy Dance’ at the Daryll Jordan Secondary School
17 January: ‘Fustic by Night’ – an old-time cookout in Fustic Village
19 January: Road tennis competition
It’s hoped that the ‘We Gatherin’ 2020’ event will boost the island’s economy, inspire Barbadians to promote the country, and enhance national pride.
Visit the official We Gatherin’ Barbados 2020 website for more information on all the events in every parish.