Feb. 20, 2002 – As the 50th anniversary celebration of Carnival continues, the V.I. Carnival Committee announces its 4th Annual Symposium, "From Whence We Came," on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Palms Court Harborview Hotel. Panel discussions will feature many local speakers.
The public is invited, and registration is free. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m., and the morning plenary session at 9 a.m., with the wrap-up at 4 p.m. A continental breakfast will be served.
There will be three morning and two afternoon panel discussions, with time for public reaction, according to a Carnival Committee release.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Robert Nicholls, a professor at the University of the Virgin Islands, who has recently written "Old Time Masquerading in the USVI," which covers more than a century of celebrations and festive events. Nicholls is a researcher, historian and contributing writer.
Some of the topics to be covered in the panels are" "The Role and Future of Floats in Carnival," "How does the Carnival Showcase Virgin Islands Culture," "The Importance of preserving the Tangible Aspects of Carnival," and the need to "Pass it On to the Younger Generations."
Speakers include Gene Emanuel, Allan Richardson, Halvar Rabsatt, Elmo Roebuck, Myron Jackson, Delores Jowers, Dorothy Elskoe, St. Clair Potter, Alrid Lockhart, Bridgette Julius-Williams, Chalkdust, Ruth Moolenaar, John Hodge, Nicholas Friday, and Ron de Lugo.
For more information call the committee office at 776-3112, or Glen "Kwabena" Davis at 690-5556.