The ambitious Festival of Arts and Culture served as a warm welcome to the 581 passengers from the MV Marco Polo on 6 December. The festival ran from 2 to 16 December which meant that passengers from the MV Artemis also had opportunity to witness the final day. Importantly, the festival allowed St Helenians themselves to witness local talent and to participate. In speaking about how the festival came about, Pamela Young, Director of Tourism said that, two years ago, the Tourist Office launched a Festival of Music. Following a review, it was decided that the event should be expanded to encompass all kinds of arts and culture as this would provide an opportunity to raise awareness about, promote and preserve St Helena’s talents and traditions. Nicola Osborne, Research and Development Officer in the Tourist Office, described the festival as an opportunity to “showcase Island talents.” The festival included over 25 events, all with an arts and culture theme. Various groups contributed to the activities which took place in Jamestown as well as districts around the island.

The schools’ Christmas activities contributed to the programme and included a variety entertainment, carol services, a festive parade and a float procession. The Ladies Orchestra hosted cocktails and carols at the Consulate Hotel, and the Young Enthusiasts performed a Piano and Song

Recital at Prince Andrew School. The Young Enthusiasts include Rebecca Lawrence, Robyn Sim and Sasha Yon (pianists) who were joined by guest vocalists and instrumentalists for the recital. At the former Public Works & Services Department Store, the St Helena Government displayed  Metal Art from a Royal Court of Cameroon (Bamoum), part of Michel Dancoisne-Martineau’s collection. All of the sculptures were exhibited on locally made art stands which were specially created for the exhibition using recycled “junk”. This demonstrated what local craftsmen and women could create from what most of us would consider as “rubbish”. The exhibition was supported by the French Government and Fox Motors and donations were taken in aid of the St Helena Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Other activities included guided walks, art and craft demonstrations, Christmas Church festivals, a photographic exhibition on the theme of our Built Heritage, co- hosted by the National Trust and Museum of St Helena and an ‘Around the World’ Art Exhibition.  The finale on Saturday saw a festive parade through Jamestown in the morning and a very interesting Napoleonic Longwood walk in the afternoon.

Pamela said that the continued success of such festivals will be important as St Helena develops its tourism industry and “would like to thank everyone who has contributed to St Helena’s first Festival of Arts & Culture.”

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