The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs today unveiled their theme for Heritage Month 2019 - Bermudian Excellence.
“In 1979, following the recommendations of the Pitt Report, Bermuda celebrated its first Bermuda Day which united the community and provided a source of national pride,” explained the Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports the Hon. Lovitta Foggo JP MP. "In 2019, we celebrate 40 years of half-marathon excitement, dinghy racing, and parades with creative floats, vibrant dancers, and Bermudians from across the island camping out, celebrating, and reflecting on our diverse cultural heritage - 40 years of Bermudian Excellence!
"The fundamental strength of Bermuda’s culture is our people, our friendliness, our hospitality, our good humour, and the way people from a small island still manage to excel on an international stage. The history and legacy of Heritage Month’s creation is complicated and uncomfortable, but out of the discomfort, we have created Bermudian beauty, traditions, creativity, culture, and excellence - a community that we can rightly be proud of."
For more information on the history of Heritage Month and Bermuda Day, visit http://communityandculture.bm/pages/heritage-month
This year for the first time, Bermuda Day Parade application forms can be completed digitially here: https://goo.gl/forms/VavUN1GeUPuwCRKN2 or you can download and print/email the PDF here: http://communityandculture.bm/pages/bermuda-day or collect a form at the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs on the 4th Floor of the Dame Lois Browne Evans Building. Bermuda Day Parade Application Forms are due in-full by Friday, April 19, 2019. Late submissions will not be considered.
Over the last few years, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs has successfully introduced new float categories in order to widen community participation. The below is a summary of the different entry types.
· Natural Heritage Floats (traditional Bermuda Day floats with natural materials)
· Upcycled Floats (using recycled materials or used items destined for trash)
· Art Floats (using art, sculpture, or other modes of creative expression)
· Music Truck Entry
· Walking Group Entry
· Gombey Entry
To enter the parade, we ask that a representative from each group attends one meeting (there are multiple date options) for their category. Details below:
Lunchtime Drop-In Information Session
at Bermuda National Library, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Monday, February 18 | Tuesday, February 19 | Wednesday, February 20 | Thursday, February 21 | Friday, February 22
Natural Heritage Float, Upcycled Float, & Art Float Meetings
at Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, 4th Floor Dame Lois Browne-Evans Building, 5:30 PM
Monday, February 18 | Tuesday, February 19 | Wednesday, February 20
Music Truck Entry or Walking Group Entry
at Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, 4th Floor Dame Lois Browne-Evans Building, 5:30 PM
Thursday, February 21 | Monday, February 25 | Tuesday, February 26
For all details, forms, times, and dates, please visit the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Bermuda Day page.