Culturama Day in St. Kitts and Nevis
Culturama Day is associated with Nevis’s annual Culturama festival, which celebrates the island’s cultural heritage. In 2024, a public holiday was proclaimed for the festival’s 50th anniversary.[1][2]
A festival rooted in Nevisian culture
The Nevis Dramatic and Cultural Society conceived Culturama in 1974. The festival was intended to revive traditional customs that were fading and encourage interest in Nevisian heritage and folklore. It is held around Emancipation Day, giving its cultural celebration a connection to the island’s history.[3][4]
Culturama is specific to Nevis within the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Government information describes it as an annual festival held during the Emancipation Day and August Monday weekend. It is a multi-day programme, so Culturama Day is one point in a broader festival period rather than the whole celebration.[3][4]
Events and traditions
Official festival information lists kaiso competitions, pageants, an art, craft and cultural food fair, an Emancipation Day jump-up and a cultural street parade among Culturama activities. These events bring performance, competition and traditional arts together; the programme can vary from one festival edition to another.[4]
The festival’s emphasis is on Nevisian traditions, including folk culture, music, dance, crafts and cuisine.[3][4]
Public holiday status and practical effects
The Public Holidays Act does not name Culturama Day among its standing scheduled holidays. It does, however, allow the Governor-General, by proclamation, to appoint a special public holiday for the whole state or a specified place. In 2024, a proclamation made with Cabinet’s advice declared a public holiday throughout St. Kitts and Nevis in recognition of Culturama’s 50th year.[1][2]
For a day proclaimed under the Act, banks, shops, stores and public offices are to observe a close holiday. The law provides exceptions, including necessary pharmacy services, food sales up to 9 a.m. and petrol stations. Check locally for opening hours at other businesses and transport services.[1]
Culturama Day: frequently asked questions
When is Culturama Day?
Is Culturama Day a public holiday across the country?
Are offices, banks and shops open?
For a day proclaimed as a public holiday, the Act provides for banks, shops, stores and public offices to close. It allows limited exceptions, including necessary pharmacy services, some early food sales and petrol stations.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Culturama Day in St. Kitts & Nevis:
- Public Holidays Act- St. Kitts and Nevis Law Commission
- Proclamation dated the 25th day of July 2024, declaring Tuesday the 6th day of August, 2024 to be a public holiday in Saint Christopher and Nevis in recognition of the 50th Year of the Nevis Culturama Festival 2024.- Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis
- Festivals and Traditions- Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
- SOCIAL STUDIES Enhanced Curriculum Guide: Grade Five (5)- Ministry of Education, St. Kitts and Nevis