The premier of the British Virgin Islands and a delegation from the BVI spent Saturday on St. Thomas to celebrate the 43rd anniversary of USVI-BVI Friendship Day.
Gov. Kenneth Mapp welcomed D. Orlando Smith, OBE, and other BVI dignitaries to the festivities themed “ties across the water that bind us.”
Activities began with a local breakfast at the historic Catherineberg estate. Members of the USVI Senate, former Gov. Charles Turnbull and other officials joined the BVI delegation to kick off the celebration.
A history and culture presentation followed at the Reichhold Center of the Arts, where vendors provided samples of foods, snacks and crafts native to Virgin Island culture.
The Charlotte Amalie High School Hawks concert choir performed, as did BVI singers Kenrico Christoper and Kaywanna Pope. St. Croix’s AY-AY Cultural Dance company entertained with classic quadrille dancing.
The Caribbean Ritual Dancers also performed.
Mapp said, “Our islands share a unique culture and a deep connection that families have shared between these islands for generations and it must be celebrated.”
Mapp said the 2018 USVI/BVI Friendship Day would take place on St. Croix for the first time since its inception.