标签： Dominica

The cultural heartbeat of Atkinson Village will pulse once again as the Sewenal Festival returns on December 21, 2025, following a seven-year absence. With substantial backing from the Dominican government, this revival celebrates both Christmas traditions and indigenous Kalinago heritage through vibrant musical performances and community gatherings.

Honourable Cozier Frederick, Parliamentary Representative for Salybia Constituency, formally presented a $30,000 governmental contribution to festival organizers during a ceremony attended by Atkinson Village Council officials. The funding was delivered on behalf of Prime Minister Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, demonstrating administrative support for cultural preservation efforts.

Festival organizers promise an immersive cultural experience featuring traditional Jing Ping bands from across Dominica, alongside dynamic performances by Swinging Stars and Signal Band. The event serves as a living repository of Dominican Christmas customs intertwined with Kalinago cultural legacy.

During the funding presentation, Hon. Frederick emphasized the government’s commitment to community festivals as catalysts for cultural conservation, economic stimulation, and social cohesion. He noted the festival’s return after seven years underscores the resilience of Dominican traditions against modern challenges.

The Atkinson Village Council expressed profound gratitude for the prompt financial assistance, confirming these resources will be strategically allocated toward event coordination, production requirements, and community mobilization efforts.

Anticipated to draw both residents and international visitors, the 2025 Sewenal Festival positions Atkinson Village as a focal point of Dominica’s national cultural calendar during the holiday season, potentially boosting local tourism and cultural visibility.

The spiritual community of Roseau is preparing for a significant pre-Christmas observance as Bishop Kendricks Forbes announces a special three-night teaching and prayer series focused on the Advent season. Scheduled for December 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2025, these evening sessions will commence at 6:30 p.m. each night within the historic Roseau Cathedral.

Advent, representing the four-week period leading to Christmas, serves as a time of spiritual preparation and anticipation for Christian congregations worldwide. Bishop Forbes’ teachings will delve into the theological significance of this liturgical season, exploring themes of hope, reflection, and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.

The extended format across three consecutive evenings offers parishioners and visitors an uncommon opportunity for deep engagement with Advent’s spiritual dimensions through collective prayer and doctrinal instruction. Such multi-day ecclesiastical events are particularly valued within religious communities as they provide sustained periods of worship and learning outside regular Sunday services.

The selection of Roseau Cathedral as the venue carries its own significance, as cathedral churches traditionally serve as the central church of a diocese where the bishop’s official seat is located. This architectural and spiritual landmark will provide the appropriate setting for what many anticipate will be a spiritually enriching experience guided by Bishop Forbes’ leadership.

Community response indicates strong interest in the event, with many local faithful marking their calendars for what has become a highlight of the Christmas liturgical calendar. The teaching series represents part of the broader seasonal programming that churches typically organize during December to help congregations spiritually prepare for Christmas beyond the commercial aspects of the holiday season.

The Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association (DHTA) has issued a stark warning about two critical environmental issues jeopardizing the island’s natural wonders, tourism viability, and sustainable future. In an official statement, the association highlighted problematic practices associated with ongoing development projects and their detrimental ecological consequences.

Specifically, the DHTA identified concerning mining operations in the Deux Branches area and continuous sediment discharge from the northern marina development into coastal waters. These activities are reportedly affecting renowned dive sites and threatening fragile coral ecosystems that form the foundation of Dominica’s tourism economy.

According to the association, Dominica’s natural environment represents the fundamental pillar supporting its thriving tourism sector, local community livelihoods, and national identity. The degradation of water quality, damage to coral reefs, or compromise of natural habitats could trigger extensive economic and social repercussions.

Regarding Deux Branches mining operations, the DHTA cited community reports indicating potential sedimentation increases, waterway contamination, and ecosystem destabilization. Particular concern was raised about impacts on the Kalinago community’s lands and resources. Although mining activities appear temporarily suspended, the association urges authorities to conduct transparent, science-based environmental impact evaluations with enforced protective measures.

The sediment discharge from the northern marina development presents equally troubling circumstances. Sediment-laden water has reduced underwater visibility and deposited material on nearby reefs. Dive operators and marine experts have observed adverse effects at prominent sites including One Finger, Five Fingers, Nadine, and Rose Garden.

These reefs represent some of Dominica’s most resilient marine ecosystems, having survived bleaching events, coral disease, and rising temperatures. They serve as cornerstones for dive tourism, support employment in Portsmouth and surrounding areas, and contribute significantly to Dominica’s ‘Nature Island’ branding.

Sedimentation poses severe threats to coral reefs by smothering corals and sponges, blocking sunlight, and reducing biodiversity. The association emphasized that even brief periods of stress can cause lasting ecological damage, underscoring the urgent need for effective sediment control throughout construction phases.

Under Dominica’s Physical Planning Act, such projects require prior approval and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) where applicable. These assessments serve as essential tools for responsible development by identifying risks and recommending mitigation strategies. The DHTA advocates for strict compliance with these processes to ensure community well-being and sustainable development success.

The association calls for authorities to prioritize transparent communication with affected communities, enforce consistent environmental standards across public and private projects, and implement timely mitigation measures to prevent further damage to marine ecosystems.

Collaboration among environmental organizations, marine biologists, dive professionals, and local residents is crucial for effectively safeguarding the island’s natural assets. Adherence to existing planning protocols—including development permissions and EIAs—promotes transparency, early issue detection, and science-based decision making that ultimately protects both environment and industry.

‘Dominica cannot afford to compromise its core natural assets,’ asserted Kitwani Ferreira, President of the DHTA. ‘Our rivers, reefs, and ecosystems are not only environmental treasures—they are economic lifelines. Responsible development and environmental protection must go hand in hand.’

As sustainable tourism advocates, the DHTA expressed commitment to collaborating with government, developers, and local communities to promote growth that preserves the island’s natural heritage, ensuring progress doesn’t undermine Dominica’s unique ecological identity.

The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF), in partnership with the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), has escalated its nationwide campaign to remove derelict vehicles from public spaces. This coordinated initiative targets abandoned automobiles across ten strategic locations identified as priority zones for cleanup operations.

Authorities have conducted systematic tagging operations in Bath Estate, Stockfarm, Under the Canefield Cliff, St. Aroment, Tarish Pit, Cocoa Bottom, Morne Daniel, Trafalgar, Wotten Waven, and Bellevue Chopin. These areas have been identified as containing significant numbers of vehicles that pose environmental and safety concerns.

Official communications from the CDPF emphasize that vehicle owners must immediately remove their abandoned properties. The government has established clear consequences for non-compliance, including substantial financial penalties and compulsory removal operations conducted at the owner’s expense. Law enforcement officials have affirmed their commitment to rigorous enforcement of municipal regulations regarding public space maintenance.

Community engagement forms a crucial component of this initiative. The joint statement appealed to citizens’ civic responsibility, stating: ‘Let’s work together to keep our communities clean, safe, and beautiful.’ This campaign represents part of broader environmental and urban renewal efforts across the island nation, addressing both aesthetic concerns and potential public health implications associated with abandoned vehicles.

The ongoing operation demonstrates the government’s multi-agency approach to urban management, combining law enforcement capabilities with waste management expertise to address complex municipal challenges.

On the occasion of Human Rights Day, CARICOM has issued a powerful reaffirmation of its dedication to upholding fundamental freedoms across Caribbean nations. Dr. Carla N. Barnett, representing the Caribbean Community, emphasized that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) continues to serve as the cornerstone document establishing essential entitlements including education, healthcare, and adequate living standards—critical components for societal advancement throughout the region.

The declaration highlights that human rights principles are fundamentally rooted in equality, non-discrimination, and inclusion. While Caribbean nations have made significant strides in dismantling systemic barriers and enhancing participation among marginalized populations—including women, Indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities—persistent discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, and economic status continues to impede the full realization of human rights for all citizens.

CARICOM’s statement underscores the necessity of engaging younger generations in human rights advocacy, stressing that sustainable progress demands the active incorporation of youth perspectives in civic processes and decision-making frameworks at all governance levels.

The organization also addressed emerging digital-age challenges, noting that the rapid expansion of information technology necessitates heightened focus on protecting privacy, combating online harassment and misogyny, and countering the proliferation of misinformation that threatens democratic values.

This commemoration serves as both a reminder and call to action for the continuous global pursuit of dignity, freedom, and justice—elements intrinsically connected to human development and individual liberties. CARICOM maintains its unwavering commitment to promoting and safeguarding these fundamental rights as it works toward building a more equitable Community for all Caribbean peoples.