The importance of preserving and passing on Virgin Islands culture to future generations took centre stage during an Introduction to Fungi Music workshop held on June 17.
Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Luce Hodge-Smith, who spoke at the opening of the workshop, stressed the need to ensure younger generations remain connected to the Territory's cultural heritage.
“Our culture is the heartbeat of our identity. It tells the story of who we are, where we come from, and the values we share as a people,” Hodge-Smith said.
The Junior Minister described fungi music as one of the Virgin Islands' most treasured cultural expressions, noting that its rhythms, storytelling and traditional instruments continue to connect generations and preserve the Territory's history.
She also encouraged the young people participating in the workshop to embrace the opportunity to learn about their cultural roots.
The one-day workshop was hosted by the Department of Culture in collaboration with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College's Virgin Islands Studies Institute.
Director of the Institute Rochelle Smith said culture is something that must be lived and shared, while workshop facilitators Bernadine Walters Louis and musician Kayron Todman guided participants through the history, evolution and fundamentals of fungi music.
Twenty-four cultural practitioners and community members attended the session, which explored the origins of fungi music, different band types and the traditional instruments used in fungi bands.
Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Luce Hodge-Smith, who spoke at the opening of the workshop, stressed the need to ensure younger generations remain connected to the Territory's cultural heritage.
“Our culture is the heartbeat of our identity. It tells the story of who we are, where we come from, and the values we share as a people,” Hodge-Smith said.
The Junior Minister described fungi music as one of the Virgin Islands' most treasured cultural expressions, noting that its rhythms, storytelling and traditional instruments continue to connect generations and preserve the Territory's history.
She also encouraged the young people participating in the workshop to embrace the opportunity to learn about their cultural roots.
The one-day workshop was hosted by the Department of Culture in collaboration with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College's Virgin Islands Studies Institute.
Director of the Institute Rochelle Smith said culture is something that must be lived and shared, while workshop facilitators Bernadine Walters Louis and musician Kayron Todman guided participants through the history, evolution and fundamentals of fungi music.
Twenty-four cultural practitioners and community members attended the session, which explored the origins of fungi music, different band types and the traditional instruments used in fungi bands.
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