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  • Diplomatic Corps reaffirms ties with the Dominican Republic at luncheon with Abinader

    Diplomatic Corps reaffirms ties with the Dominican Republic at luncheon with Abinader

    In a key diplomatic gathering held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader was the guest of honor at a special luncheon organized by the body of foreign ambassadors and mission representatives accredited to the Caribbean nation. The event brought together top diplomatic officials from across the globe, creating a space for open engagement and mutual commitment to deepening collaborative ties between the Dominican Republic and the international community.

    Piergiorgio Bertoldi, who serves as both the Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic and the dean of the accredited Diplomatic Corps, delivered a keynote address during the luncheon that outlined shared priorities for global partnership. Bertoldi emphasized that coordinated work between the Dominican government and international stakeholders is critical to making tangible progress on three pressing global challenges: advancing inclusive sustainable development, cutting widespread poverty across the region, and tackling the underlying structural factors that drive irregular migration. Beyond these priority areas, the assembled diplomats also highlighted that sustained, open channels of dialogue form the foundation for launching and scaling joint initiatives in sectors that carry long-term strategic importance for both the Dominican Republic and their respective nations.

    The closed-door luncheon functioned as more than a ceremonial gathering: it centered its discussions on expanding bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, and served as a clear public diplomatic signal reinforcing the Dominican Republic’s long-standing foreign policy framework. That framework is rooted in three core principles: constructive dialogue, cross-border collaboration, and the continuous strengthening of both bilateral partnerships and multilateral global ties.

  • Panama lifts visa requirement for Dominican travelers

    Panama lifts visa requirement for Dominican travelers

    Panama has lifted the decades-old stamped consular visa requirement for all Dominican citizens traveling to the country as tourists, following the formal signing of Executive Decree No. 12 by Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino Quintero. The policy change went into effect immediately after the decree was officially published in Panama’s Official Digital Gazette, bringing an end to a restrictive travel rule that had stood for nearly a decade.

    According to a statement released by the Panamanian government, the decision to eliminate the visa mandate came after a comprehensive interagency review that found no remaining security or technical justifications to keep the 2015 travel restriction in place. The statement also emphasized the deep, mutually beneficial diplomatic and commercial connections that have long bound the two Latin American nations, framing the policy shift as a reflection of the growing closeness of the bilateral relationship.

    The new executive order formally repeals the older Executive Decree No. 176 enacted in 2015, which had forced Dominican travelers to complete an in-person visa application process at Panamanian consulates prior to embarking on their trip. That requirement created significant administrative burdens and travel delays for Dominican citizens planning visits to Panama.

    Under the updated regulations, Dominican nationals can now enter Panama for tourist purposes without securing a pre-approved consular visa. Per existing Panamanian immigration law, eligible visitors can stay in the country for a maximum period of 90 days per entry. This adjustment moves the Dominican Republic into the growing group of countries whose citizens enjoy streamlined, favorable entry conditions into Panama, opening new opportunities for tourism, business travel, and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

  • Dominican Republic to host Americas Investment Forum 2026

    Dominican Republic to host Americas Investment Forum 2026

    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The Caribbean and Latin American nation has been formally selected to host the 2026 Americas Investment Forum (AIF), a landmark regional gathering centered on expanding cross-border investment, accelerating bilateral trade, and fostering groundbreaking innovation across the Americas. When the event opens, it is expected to draw hundreds of senior stakeholders from more than 52 nations, including senior government representatives, C-suite leaders from multinational corporations, heads of global investment promotion agencies, and executives from leading international financial institutions.

    The forum is a joint collaborative production of ProDominicana, the Dominican Republic’s national trade and investment promotion body, and the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), the global umbrella organization for investment promotion entities. Scheduled to speak at the opening ceremony are Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader alongside Harvard University Growth Lab’s prominent economist Ricardo Hausmann, a leading voice on global economic development and growth strategy.

    Organizers have laid out a packed agenda spanning the multi-day event, featuring a lineup of high-profile keynote addresses, closed-door high-level policy and business panels, targeted one-on-one business matchmaking sessions, and a formal awards ceremony. During the ceremony, the 2026 Dominican Republic Investment Recognition Award will be presented to international firms that have made significant, measurable contributions to the country’s sustained economic growth and development over recent years.

    In comments announcing the hosting agreement, ProDominicana Executive Director Biviana Riveiro Disla emphasized that the 2026 forum cements the Dominican Republic’s standing as the top investment destination in the entire Latin American and Caribbean region. The announcement comes on the heels of a historic year for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country, with 2025 FDI inflows reaching a record-breaking $5.03 billion. Beyond showcasing the nation’s existing economic success, the forum will actively highlight and promote new strategic partnership and investment opportunities across high-griority, high-growth sectors. These include sustainable tourism, advanced manufacturing, utility-scale renewable energy, large-scale transportation infrastructure, integrated regional logistics, digital and creative industries, and artificial intelligence development and deployment.

  • Team Saint Lucia set for Pan Am Swimming in Colombia

    Team Saint Lucia set for Pan Am Swimming in Colombia

    As the second edition of the PanAm Aquatics Swimming Championships approaches, the Saint Lucia Aquatics Federation has announced its competitive roster: an eight-member delegation of talented swimmers primed to compete against the region’s best at the Hernando Arbeláez Jiménez Olympic Swimming Pools in Ibagué, Colombia. Running from July 8 to 12, this year’s tournament has attracted more than 500 athletes from 31 countries and territories across the Americas, marking one of the largest regional aquatics competitions on the 2026 calendar.

    Saint Lucia’s participation in the championships has grown dramatically since the island nation made its debut appearance in 2025. That year, then-rookie Jayden Xu made history by claiming a bronze medal in the men’s 50-meter backstroke, becoming the first Saint Lucian to podium at the event. Just 12 months later, the country’s national team has more than doubled in size, a shift that reflects growing investment and rising interest in competitive swimming across the island.

    For 2026, Xu returns to the championship looking to improve on his 2025 result, where he finished fourth in the 100m backstroke after his opening bronze. He will compete in the 50m and 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, and 400m freestyle. Joining Xu on the men’s roster are Olympian Mikaili Charlemagne, CARIFTA gold medalist Tyler Dantes, Jase Daniel, and Caden Calderon, each bringing a diverse range of strengths across multiple strokes and distances.

    Charlemagne, who represented Saint Lucia at the Olympic Games, will focus on sprint events: the 50m and 100m freestyle and butterfly. Dantes, a rising young talent, carries the busiest individual schedule of any team member, with races scheduled in the 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly, and all three backstroke distances (50m, 100m, and 200m). Daniel will contest four freestyle events spanning 50m to 400m, plus three butterfly races from 50m to 200m, while Calderon will compete across freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke, and backstroke, closing out his individual schedule with the 200m individual medley.

    The women’s side of the delegation features three of the Caribbean’s most promising young swimming stars, all gold medalists from the recent CARIFTA Aquatics Championships: Sapphire Parks, Maya Andrew, and Fayth Jeffrey. At just 12 years old, Parks has already established herself as one of the region’s top young competitors, earning back-to-back high point honors in the 11-12 girls division at CARIFTA. For the PanAm Championships, she will compete in six events: 100m and 200m backstroke, 100m and 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, and both the 200m and 400m individual medley.

    Andrew will turn her focus to sprint freestyle and butterfly, plus multiple breaststroke distances, racing the 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, and 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke. Jeffrey, who trains based in the United States, will compete in the 50m and 100m divisions of both freestyle and breaststroke.

    Beyond individual events, Saint Lucia will field two mixed relay squads for the tournament. Parks, Andrew, Dantes, and Daniel will team up for the 4x100m mixed medley relay on July 9, followed by the 4x100m mixed freestyle relay on July 11. Leading the delegation is head coach Brian Charles, supported by assistant coach Jonathan Calderon and chaperone Sariah Daniel, who will oversee the team’s preparations and logistics throughout the championship. For a small island nation with a fast-growing aquatics program, this year’s expanded roster represents a major milestone, with fans across Saint Lucia eager to see how their young athletes perform against elite regional competition.

  • WhatsApp to let users go by usernames, not phone numbers

    WhatsApp to let users go by usernames, not phone numbers

    One of the world’s most widely used messaging platforms, WhatsApp, is closing one of its longest-standing privacy vulnerabilities by rolling out a new feature that will allow users to connect with others exclusively through custom usernames, eliminating the mandatory requirement to share personal phone numbers to connect on the app. With over 3 billion active users across the globe, the Meta-owned social platform announced the update on Monday, opening up early reservations for unique usernames ahead of a full global rollout scheduled for later this year.

    WhatsApp product vice president Alice Newton-Rox told reporters that the new functionality has been built as a core privacy-focused feature, designed to put greater control of personal information into users’ hands. Unlike many social platforms that maintain public searchable directories of usernames and offer autocomplete search suggestions, WhatsApp’s system will be intentionally restricted: new contacts will only be able to reach a user if they know their exact username, cutting down on unwanted outreach from strangers who have obtained a user’s phone number through public or unscrupulous means.

    For years, WhatsApp has offered full end-to-end encryption for all communications across its smartphone, tablet and desktop versions, but the platform has carried a key privacy flaw: any user who possesses another person’s phone number can contact them directly on the app, regardless of whether they know the user personally. Up until this announcement, the platform’s only privacy tools to counter unwanted contact have been limited to blocking individual users and muting calls from unknown numbers, which many users have criticized as insufficient for protecting personal privacy.

    While the platform remains far less popular than native SMS texting in the United States, it has become a dominant communication tool across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and most other regions globally, making this privacy update impactful for a huge swath of the global population. The company has already kicked off early reservations for usernames, a move designed to accommodate the expected rush for catchy, desirable handles that are highly sought after on digital platforms. Newton-Rox explained the decision to open early reservations, noting that high demand for popular usernames was the key driver for opening access ahead of the full feature launch.

    The platform has put rules in place to protect users from impersonation: usernames must fall between 3 and 35 characters, and the service will reserve high-profile handles for public figures, celebrities, government entities and notable organizations to prevent bad actors from impersonating prominent people or groups. No exact full launch date has been announced, with the company only confirming that the full functionality will roll out to all users in the coming months.

  • Suriname en Panama verkennen intensievere samenwerking op handel en investeringen

    Suriname en Panama verkennen intensievere samenwerking op handel en investeringen

    Two Latin American and Caribbean nations, Suriname and Panama, have laid the groundwork for deeper economic collaboration during a working visit by a Surinamese delegation to Panama’s investment and trade promotion body, ProPanama. The delegation was led by Melvin Bouva, Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, who traveled to the country to explore new partnership opportunities across trade, logistics, cross-border investment, and special economic zone development. The entire visit was centered on strengthening bilateral economic ties and sharing specialized knowledge around trade expansion and logistics infrastructure growth. Minister Bouva opened discussions by highlighting Panama’s unique strategic value as a leading regional trade and logistics hub. For Suriname, which is currently entering a transformative new economic phase driven by the rapid expansion of its offshore oil and gas sector, Panama’s decades of experience in managing trade and logistics hubs offers critical, actionable insights, Bouva noted. “Panama’s progress over the years offers valuable lessons for nations like Suriname that are looking to expand their own trade-focused economic sectors,” the minister stated during the visit. A core highlight of the delegation’s itinerary was a guided tour and in-depth briefing at the Colón Free Trade Zone, one of the largest free trade zones in the entire Latin American and Caribbean region. During the stop, Suriname’s delegation gained first-hand insight into how the zone is organized, its advanced logistics infrastructure, and the strategies Panama has used to attract consistent foreign direct investment. Stretching across more than 1,064 hectares of land, the Colón Free Trade Zone currently has approximately 280 hectares of undeveloped space reserved for future expansion, and offers participating businesses a wide range of tax and customs incentives to operate from the location. Talks between the two sides also included a focus on building a formal partnership between ProPanama and the Suriname Investment and Trade Agency (SITA), Suriname’s national trade and investment promotion body. According to Suriname’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, the proposed partnership will prioritize four core areas: cross-institutional knowledge sharing, joint development of special economic zones, and collective efforts to boost two-way trade and cross-border investment between the two nations. This working visit aligns with both countries’ broader long-term strategy to expand and deepen their economic relations. The ministry emphasized that the discussions with ProPanama leadership and the on-site visit to the Colón Free Trade Zone mark a tangible, concrete step toward closer collaboration that will unlock new opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors based in both Suriname and Panama. Going forward, both sides are expected to continue working through their respective trade agencies to turn the initial agreements from the visit into actionable projects that deliver mutual economic growth.

  • Implementing on the Global Governance Initiative, Advancing a More Just and Equitable Global Governance System

    Implementing on the Global Governance Initiative, Advancing a More Just and Equitable Global Governance System

    In an op-ed shared with audiences in Antigua and Barbuda, H.E. Jiang Wei, China’s Ambassador to the Caribbean nation, outlined the core vision and practical progress of China’s approach to global governance, tied to the June 2026 release of China’s new white paper *More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions*.

    Today’s international order stands at an inflection point, shaped by the most profound systemic shifts in a century. Peace and development, long held as the shared goals of the global community, now face unprecedented headwinds. Geopolitical frictions have intensified, sparking armed conflicts across multiple regions, while growing global economic fragmentation has choked off inclusive development pathways. Compounding these challenges, overlapping crises are accumulating at an accelerated pace, with new threats emerging in rapid succession. Unilateral power grabs and hegemonic interference have inflicted deep damage on the global order, flagrantly flouting international law and the long-accepted basic norms that govern cross-border relations.

    Against this backdrop, anti-globalization sentiment and protectionist policies are gaining traction, as economic and trade issues are increasingly politicized, turned into strategic tools, and even weaponized for geopolitical gain. The existing global governance framework has failed to keep pace with shifting global demographics, rising power of the Global South, and emerging transnational challenges, leaving its structural gaps and inequities increasingly impossible to ignore.

    This moment demands a fundamental reset of global governance: a new model that is more inclusive, fair, and sustainable, one that centers the underrepresented voices of Global South nations that have long been sidelined in key global decision-making processes.

    The framework for this reset was first laid out in September 2025, when Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), a comprehensive Chinese proposal that addresses the two defining questions of our era: what kind of global governance system the world needs, and how this system can be reformed and improved to meet modern challenges.

    Since its launch, the initiative has quickly garnered broad international buy-in, earning the support of nearly 160 countries and international organizations, with more than 60 nations joining the GGI’s Group of Friends to advance collaborative implementation.

    At its core, the GGI is built on five foundational principles. First, it enshrines sovereign equality as the non-negotiable starting point for all global governance. Every nation, regardless of its size, military power, or economic wealth, is entitled to have its sovereignty and national dignity respected, and to have an equal voice in decision-making and an equal share of the benefits of global cooperation. Second, it upholds international rule of law as the fundamental safeguard for fair governance. Only a system rooted in consistent, universally applied rule of law can deliver a level playing field for all nations’ development and build a truly just international order. Third, it advances multilateralism as the core path forward, urging all countries to uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, protect the central coordinating role of the United Nations in global affairs, and prioritize multilateral dialogue and cooperative problem-solving. Fourth, it anchors global governance in a people-centered value framework, recognizing that the citizens of all countries are the true actors in global governance, and that improving public well-being is the ultimate goal of all collective action. Reform of global governance must deliver greater fulfillment, security and well-being for people across every region. Fifth, it prioritizes practical problem-solving as a key guiding principle, emphasizing that effective global governance must deliver tangible solutions to the real challenges facing nations today.

    Unlike many global initiatives that remain only words on paper, China has positioned itself as both a leading advocate and active implementer of the GGI. In the area of common security, China is a major contributor to UN peacekeeping operations: it is the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest provider of peacekeeping troops among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and has developed a distinctive, dialogue-centered approach to de-escalating long-running international flashpoints. In pursuit of greater global fairness, China has driven the historic expansion of the BRICS bloc, supported the growth of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), backed the African Union’s gaining full membership in the G20, and launched and advanced a open, inclusive initiative for Global South cooperation. Through eight targeted support measures, China is helping Global South nations collectively advance along sustainable pathways to modernization. To foster greater global solidarity, China initiated and led the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation, filling a long-standing gap in global conflict mediation infrastructure. It has also convened the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations and the Ancient Civilizations Forum to build bridges of mutual understanding and learning across different cultural traditions. On the governance of emerging global challenges, China established the Kunming Biodiversity Fund to support global conservation action, and launched the Global Initiative on Data Security and the Global AI Governance Initiative to help develop inclusive, fair governance frameworks for these emerging domains.

    Global governance is a collective endeavor that requires constant forward progress; in an era of turbulence, standing still means falling backward. Today, as the world enters a new period of turbulent transformation, there is a greater need than ever to revitalize inclusive multilateralism, uphold universal international rule of law, and build a more effective global governance system. China stands ready to work side by side with the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda to deepen multilateral cooperation, advance the GGI’s goals through the principle of shared consultation, contribution and benefit, and jointly build a more just and equitable global governance system for all.

  • RCA donates $10,000 to UWI Five Islands Campus as part of yearly scholarship programme

    RCA donates $10,000 to UWI Five Islands Campus as part of yearly scholarship programme

    A long-running commitment to nurturing young talent in Antigua and Barbuda has taken concrete form, as the Rotary Club of Antigua (RCA) has formalized a new contribution to the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWIFIC) through an EC$10,000 cheque donation. The gift, which forms part of the club’s ongoing scholarship programme and deepens its long-standing institutional partnership with the university, was presented during an intimate ceremony hosted at Rotary House.

    The donation was officially received by Adeola Matthew, manager of the Student Retention and Success Unit under UWIFIC’s Office of the Campus Registrar. Speaking on behalf of the service organization, RCA President Elisa Graham emphasized that access to quality education has remained a core strategic priority for Rotary globally, and specifically for the Antigua chapter, which views educational investment as foundational to Antigua and Barbuda’s long-term prosperity.

    Graham noted, “The Rotary Club of Antigua is proud to continue its partnership with the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus through this scholarship contribution. We believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives and strengthening communities. This donation reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting students as they pursue their academic and professional aspirations.”

    The RCA president also extended public recognition to the all-volunteer scholarship committee, which spearheaded the initiative. Led by two past RCA presidents, Dr. Vanetta Rodgers and Dr. Errol Samuel, the committee also includes Rotarians Nabia Burton and Yasmine Ephraim. Graham credited the group’s consistent dedication and hard work for turning the annual scholarship commitment into a reality for students.

    In her response, Matthew expressed heartfelt gratitude for the club’s sustained investment in the campus’ student body. She highlighted that financial scholarship support does more than offset tuition costs—it directly improves student retention outcomes and raises overall graduation rates, opening pathways for economic mobility for young people across the country.

    “Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of community,” Matthew said. “The Club’s continued scholarship support has had a measurable impact on student success and retention, helping to ensure that more students can complete their studies and build brighter futures.”

    For the Rotary Club of Antigua, this donation is just one part of a decades-long legacy of local community impact. The organization has consistently prioritized educational projects, youth leadership development, and community infrastructure initiatives across Antigua and Barbuda, aligned with Rotary International’s global mission of service above self. Looking ahead, RCA says it plans to deepen its collaborative relationship with UWIFIC and continue investing in the development of Antigua and Barbuda’s next generation of leaders.

  • Supreme Court shuts down Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship for millions

    Supreme Court shuts down Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship for millions

    On a landmark Tuesday ruling that reverberated across American political and immigration circles, the US Supreme Court struck down a signature executive order from former President Donald Trump that sought to upend decades of established legal interpretation around birthright citizenship. The policy, which was a core plank of Trump’s presidential agenda even as legal experts widely questioned its constitutionality from its inception, has now been formally invalidated by the nation’s highest court.

    This outcome marks a notable political defeat for Trump, who centered much of his election campaign on curbing so-called “birth tourism” and made restrictive immigration policy — targeting both unauthorized and legal immigration — a defining priority of his second term in office. The court’s ruling leaves intact the long-standing legal principle that has guided American citizenship for more than a century: any person born within the territorial boundaries of the United States automatically qualifies for citizenship, regardless of the immigration status of their parents.

    Chief Justice John Roberts penned the majority opinion for the court, which drew bipartisan support from both conservative and liberal justices. Three prominent conservative members of the bench — Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch — broke with the majority to issue a dissent against the ruling.

    In his authoritative opinion reflecting the court’s majority position, Roberts emphasized the foundational role of citizenship in American democratic life. “Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights — to freely participate in our political community,” Roberts wrote. “The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to ‘every free-born person in this land.’ We keep that promise today.”

  • Queen’s Park set for cultural extravaganza

    Queen’s Park set for cultural extravaganza

    As one of the most iconic anchor events of Barbados’ beloved Crop Over Festival, the 2026 Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes is set to offer far more than just the formal ritual this July. Organizers with the National Cultural Foundation have planned a full-day, immersive cultural extravaganza that transforms Queen’s Park into a living showcase of Barbadian heritage, inviting attendees of all ages to arrive early and engage with local traditions long before the official ceremonial proceedings begin.

    Gates to the park will open at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, with the formal ceremony kicking off at 4 p.m. But from early afternoon through the evening, the venue will be packed with hands-on workshops, live performances, interactive demonstrations, and family-focused activities designed to turn a single observance into a complete cultural experience. This year’s programming is intentionally built around participation: rather than letting audiences only watch the ceremony, the foundation has created space for visitors to touch, create, learn, and connect with the traditions that have shaped Crop Over into the national celebration it is today.

    The headline attraction leading into the main ceremony is the “60 Years of Calypso” concert, a special retrospective honoring the genre that has long carried the voice, humor, history, and social consciousness of Barbadian people across six decades. The concert boasts an all-star lineup of the island’s most celebrated entertainers, including Adrian Clarke, Nikita, Alison Hinds, Blood, TC, Azizi, Biggie Irie, Barry Chandler, Peter Ram, Leadpipe, Lil Rick, Mikey, RPB, Iweb, Serenader, Gabby, and Popsicle. The performance will journey through the evolving eras of calypso and soca, paying homage to the legendary bands, competition monarchs, road march winners, and pioneering performers who defined the soundtrack of Crop Over. Beyond entertainment, the showcase highlights calypso’s core role as living history: it is storytelling, collective memory, national celebration, and cultural identity wrapped into one art form. The event will also feature a special tribute to the late Sir Emile Straker, one of Barbados’ most revered cultural icons, whose contributions to Barbadian music have left an enduring mark on the national identity and helped bring the island’s sound to a global audience. The tribute will give attendees a moment to reflect on his extraordinary legacy.

    Off the main stage, a full slate of Heritage Workshops and Demonstrations will invite visitors to engage directly with the traditional crafts and practices that underpin the festival. The interactive 60th Anniversary Sailors’ Valentine activity will run from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., where participants will help assemble materials under the guidance of professional artists to create a large-scale commemorative art piece. Between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., attendees can try their hand at custom hand-painting on shirts and bags — visitors are encouraged to bring their own garments, though a limited number will be provided on-site. The same window will also host a discharge dyeing tie-dye workshop, where participants will learn the unique creative technique of reverse tie-dye on dark fabrics.

    For craft lovers interested in traditional masquerade, a “Make Your Own Headdress from Natural Fibres” workshop will run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Food-focused sessions will introduce visitors to traditional Bajan confectionery: traditional sweets making demonstrations and tastings will be held from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., where guests can watch and learn how to make local favorites like tamarind balls and no-bake coconut sugar cakes.

    Activities for all ages are woven throughout the schedule. Heritage Games will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., welcoming both children and the young at heart. For those interested in traditional folk practices, Bajan sticklicking sessions will teach the art of traditional stick throwing from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Lively Maypole workshops, another staple of Barbadian folk culture, will be held during overlapping time slots from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

    Demonstrations add additional depth to the day’s programming: open-air en plein air painting will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with live portraiture demonstrations from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Face painting will be available for attendees from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and traditional basketry demonstrations will run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. A curated display of young adult literature will also add a literary component to the heritage showcase, rounding out the multi-disciplinary celebration.

    The Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes has long been one of Crop Over’s most meaningful heritage moments, marking the historic end of the sugar cane harvest that gives the festival its name. This year, however, the National Cultural Foundation has reimagined the event to make the entire day an engaging experience, rather than only the 4 p.m. ceremony. With a full lineup of calypso legends, hands-on cultural workshops, traditional craft demonstrations, and family-friendly activities all on offer, Queen’s Park will stand as a vibrant reminder that Crop Over is far more than a spectator event — it is a living tradition to be felt, learned, celebrated, and shared through participation.