Guests gathered at Fort Amsterdam for the launch of the Cultural Calendar and the Decade of Revitalization 2013 – 2023 on Sunday March 10th. Amongst the invited guests were the Governor of Country St. Maarten, Prime Minister Hon. Sarah Wescot Williams, Minister Hon. Cornelius De Weever and Minister Hon. Roland Tuitt. Several senior citizens, cultural icons, historians, and cultural stakeholders were also present.
The gathering of persons enjoyed the musical entertainment of the Ebony Steel Orchestra. The program commenced with the St. Maarten Song being played on the steel pans by two members of the orchestra.
Head of the Cultural Department Neville York officially welcomed the guests. In his welcome address York explained the vision behind the Cultural Calendar and the decade of Revitalization of our Cultural Heritage.
Joslyn Arndell followed with a monologue on the way we used to live. Arrindell recalled his younger days when St. Maarteners would greet each other and not doing so would lead to being chastised at home and several other examples. "St. Maarten culture has faded through the influx of other nationalities therefor the safeguarding of our cultural heritage is important" said Arrindell.
Where Arrindell gave an idea of what St. Maarten was like in the past, DJ. Easy gave an account of present day St. Maarten in a self-produced rap song with accompanying video in the background. The rap song spoke of the realities young persons are faced with today.
The Cultural Calendar which contains historical facts of St. Maarten and the bio of prominent local figures past and present was presented to the gathering by students of the MAC school Browlia F. Maynard campus. Each student read the extensive bio or story of each local figure featured in the calendar.
Minister Jacobs addressed the audience following the presentation of the Cultural Calendar. In her speech the Minister spoke of those people who awakened her love of culture and pride in being a St. Maartener.
She also spoke of the steps the Ministry would be taking to revitalizing our cultural heritage. "This launch is the first step in the Ministry’ vision to revitalize St. Maarten Culture: The next step is to meet with you the cultural stakeholders to bring about cultural awareness and ways to preserve our Cultural Heritage" the Minister said.