The annual national Pirates Week festival this November will mark the return of its long-standing heritage days on the 2024 calendar.
“We are also thrilled to announce the return of District Days, where each district will have the opportunity to showcase its unique cultural identity within the overall tapestry of Caymanian society,” according to CIG Public Relations press release.
The series of heritage days were pulled from the lineup last year, due to “time and budget constraints”. Many people across the community took to social media at the time to express their shock and disappointment in what festival organisers described as “a tough call”.
That news also pushed Cayman Cabana restaurant owner Luigi Moxam to host his own ‘Caymanian Heritage Day’. He told the Cayman Compass, he’s “happy” to hear the 40-plus-year tradition has returned to the Pirates Week festival, though he still plans to hold his own heritage day again in November.
“We are thankful for everyone who participated and contributed to making ‘Caymanian Heritage Day’ a memorable experience the best we could with little notice and sponsorship.”
Moxam added, “I am confident they will successfully revitalize Pirates Week and the Heritage Day festivities. It’s important that we as a community do our part to collaborate, celebrate, and support them however we can,” he said.
Heritage days celebrate Cayman’s rich culture in the heart of the districts. It features traditional crafts, rope making and thatch plaiting demonstrations, dance shows, storytelling, old-time games and local cuisine from district chefs. In previous years, schools have organised field trips for students to learn more about their heritage and culture.
The 2024 festival, under the theme ‘Setting Sail Through Time,’ will be hosted across all three islands, starting with Little Cayman on 8-16 Nov., Grand Cayman on 23 Nov., and culminating on Cayman Brac on 30 Nov.
Culture Minister Dwayne Seymour noted that the government-run national festival “is more than just a celebration; it is an embodiment of our local culture, bringing together the people of our islands”.
While no details on the schedule of events have been released, the ministry announced a new eight-member steering committee “comprised of representatives from key government agencies and departments. This united approach will ensure cross-governmental collaboration to bring the festival to life,” the press released noted.
Chairing that committee is senior policy officer for culture, Patrice Beersingh, with Department of Communications director Oneisha Richards as vice chairperson. Other members include deputy chief officer at the culture ministry Danielle Roberts (secretary), Cayman National Cultural Foundation CEO Natalie Urquhart, Kimberley Kirkconnell from the Department of Education Services, Department of Public Works deputy director Niasha Ross, Sebastian Bodden from the Department of Tourism, and Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Superintendent Roje Williams.
The protocol office is acting as an advisory consultant to the steering committee.
“A festival of this magnitude and importance requires significant collaboration across relevant government departments,” Seymour said, as he thanked fellow government leaders “for their demonstrated support and for making key staff from their respective entries available to serve on this historic steering committee”.
“Their commitment to collaboration and unification underscores our shared dedication to celebrating and preserving Caymanian culture,” he added. “The collective expertise and deep community ties of this steering committee will ensure that Pirates Week resonates with every corner of Cayman’s diverse culture, fostering a sense of national pride and unity.”
During remarks at a tribute concert held for the festival’s founding director, Dave Martins earlier this month, Seymour had noted that this year’s festivities will include “something that honours” Martins’ legacy and contributions.
The national festival, which started more than 40 years ago, was created to draw more visitors to the island during what is considered a historically slow tourist season. It typically features a pirates landing, float parades, steel pan competition, costume competitions, firework shows, beach cleanups, and various sporting events.
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