Greetings to my readers from Barbados, France, USA and Russia.
I was reminded by a blog reader that it was time for my Independence entry. It's been a few months since my last entry.
On November 30, 2023, Barbados celebrated 57 years of Independence. As usual, there was the pomp and ceremony of our Independence parade. It's always a sight to behold - and the songs to which the formations are made - always superbly rendered.
On a sad note, Barbados lost a musical icon - Richard Stoute - a few days before Independence Day 2023. One of the finest male voices in entertainment is now no more. Such smooth, mellow vocals - often only heard on radio as we celebrate Barbados in November. He also invested in developing the musical talents of young Barbadians over decades. Among those who benefited - Barbados' musical General, Edwin Yearwood and our Soca Queen, Alison Hinds, to name two of the more prominent. In my first blog of the year, I paid tribute to Barbados' Queen of Song, Carolyn Leacock, who passed away in January. Her daughter, Jan, is another who not only participated but won one of the Richard Stoute Teen Talent contests - his labour of love. The late Richard StouteOf course we can't have an independence celebration without food - there are conkies, cassava pone, sweet bread, fish cakes, ham cutters (some of these we have all year long) and then the sweets - tamarind balls, guava cheese, nut cake and sugar cake - all of which are available year-round but may have more sentimental value as we celebrate Independence.
Left to right: Bajan sweets - guava cheese, sugar cake, tamarind ball and nut cake.
On that note I'll sign off for another year with one of Richard Stoute's Christmas renditions - "Rock Steady Christmas" as that's the next celebration.
Until next time, stay safe.👋
