Rooted in Culture, Growing Through Tourism
Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith has unveiled a full programme for Culture and Tourism Month 2025, running through November under the theme "Rooted in Culture, Growing Through Tourism." According to a Government of the Virgin Islands press release issued by Information Officer Angela U. Burns, the month features festivals, training, sister-island events and a public Emancipation Festival forum, and culminates with a Virtual Reality Museum opening and the Anegada Lobster Festival.
Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith announced a packed schedule of events for Culture and Tourism Month 2025 at a press conference on Friday, 7 November, the Government of the Virgin Islands said in a press release provided by Information Officer Angela U.
Observed under the theme "Rooted in Culture, Growing Through Tourism," the month is designed to showcase the Territory's heritage while strengthening the tourism product. "Culture and tourism are not just related, they are two sides of the same coin," Hodge-Smith said, adding that the celebration is "a crucial investment" in preserving identity and fuelling economic growth.
The programme began with the 284 Excellence Film Festival, held from 30 October to 2 November, and continued with the Long Story Short BVI Literary Festival from 5–15 November, which highlights local authors, poetry readings and writers' workshops. Training and education activities include the Forbes Travel Guide Elevated Luxury Training on 10–11 November on Tortola and Virgin Gorda, and the Third Annual Tourism Education Symposium for senior school students on 13 November.
Sister Islands and community-focused programming feature prominently this year. The Virgin Gorda Book Club launched on 14 November, and the three-day Fungi Fest runs from 14–16 November across Jost Van Dyke, Tortola and Virgin Gorda, with performances by local and regional bands celebrating the Territory's musical heritage, the Government release notes.
Public schools across the Virgin Islands will participate with cultural activities from 14–21 November, encouraging students to celebrate through dress, music, dance and traditional art forms. On 18 November organisers will host an UberSoca Cruise and formally launch Sister Islands Ad Hoc Cultural Committees to support local cultural programming and representation.
Other highlights include the launch of the Virgin Gorda Historical Tour Manual on 20 November and a Cultural Food Fair and Expo at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park on 21 November — a day Junior Minister Hodge-Smith encouraged residents to wear Territorial items such as pins or scarves to show cultural pride.
On 25 November an Emancipation Festival Forum will invite public input on the future direction of the Emancipation Festival. "At this forum, we are inviting the public to come and share their views so that we can move forward in a more energetic way addressing the issues when it comes to our Emancipation Festival," Hodge-Smith said in the Government's statement.
The month closes with the opening of a Virtual Reality Museum at Crafts Alive Village on 27 November and the annual Anegada Lobster Festival on 28–29 November. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development says these initiatives align with its mandate to advance tourism, preserve cultural heritage and support sustainable growth and environmental stewardship, according to the press release.
For more information, residents may contact the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development at 468-2161, the Department of Culture at 468-4408, or Angela U. Burns, Information Officer, Premier's Office, at +1 284 468 9445 or aburns@gov.vg; the Government's media and service contacts are also listed on gov.vg and the BVIGovernment Facebook page.
Primary source: BVI Government