GRAND CELEBRATIONS START THIS MONTH IN CAYMAN FOR QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE

Cayman kicks off a calendar of elaborate celebrations starting this month to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on the throne.

Celebrations begin with the opening of a commemorative exhibition by the Cayman Islands National Museum on Saturday, 5 February. This will be followed on Sunday, 6 February with a special sitting at the House of Parliament, marking the day on which Her Majesty the Queen ascended to the throne upon the death of her father King George VI.

Making the announcement HE Governor Martyn Roper, said, “This is a remarkable moment in Her Majesty The Queen’s extraordinary reign, which has been dedicated to people far beyond the UK’s shores. So, it is only right that we in the Cayman Islands pay a fitting tribute to our Monarch on this historic occasion.

“I am always struck by the warm affection for Her Majesty in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. By joining in events with the rest of the UK and indeed so many others in the world, we help signal our collective warm feelings of respect and regard for Her Majesty. I heartily encourage all to get involved and participate in these events and my thanks to our excellent organising Committee ably led by Cabinet Secretary Sam Rose for their dedicated work.”

Hon. Premier Wayne Panton remarked: “Caymanians, especially our older generations, have always held Her Majesty the Queen in the highest esteem. Our collective affection for our monarch has been reinforced by her two visits to the Cayman Islands in 1983 and 1994.”

Mr Panton explained that “to prepare us for our local celebrations, a steering committee of dedicated individuals from across the public and private sectors as well as civil society has been working on creating a suitable programme to commemorate this historic milestone.”

He said: “All of the events and activities being planned aim to bring our community together in a shared spirit of celebration for this incredible milestone while raising awareness of our strong historical ties with the United Kingdom especially for the younger generation of Caymanians, many of whom have no memory of The Queen’s visits to the Cayman Islands.”

Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose, Chair of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Steering Committee responsible for planning local celebrations, elaborated. “Around the globe, year-long activities are scheduled including public events, community happenings as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service. Communities, businesses and organisations across the UK, its Overseas Territories and the Commonwealth will host their own celebrations, events and activities."

Speaking about the celebrations in Cayman, he said: "It is therefore important that we plan events that are culturally relevant to our context and bring our community together in a spirit of interconnectivity with others around the world who are marking this historic occasion.”

According to the official programme being prepared to mark the occasion, year-long celebrations starting in early February are being planned with the highlight being an extended long weekend - from 2 to 6 June bringing forward the annual Queen’s Birthday celebration to the first week in June 2022.

Parliament’s programme will include the inspection of an honour guard and royal salutes, a proclamation by His Excellency the Governor on the commencement of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations and speeches by the Speaker, Premier and Leader of the Opposition.

Parliament’s foyer will feature a display Commonwealth flags, photos of The Queen amongst other memorabilia.

In March, a Commonwealth Day church service will take place on Sunday, 13 at St. George’s Anglican Church in George Town.

On Commonwealth Day on Monday, 14 March, the Commonwealth flag will be hoisted in a brief ceremony at the Government Administration Building in the morning to fly alongside the Union Jack and the CI National Flag.

This will be followed by the annual Youth Parliament that day when Cayman Islands youth will “become Parliamentarians” for a day and take over the House to debate motions on two relevant local topics.

In April, the Cayman Islands will receive the Queen’s Jubilee Baton in preparation for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in July 2022 hosted by the city of Birmingham, England. In May, a car show will be held, also featuring vintage cars.

In early June events will build to a crescendo with a weekend of activities that move the celebrations into high gear, starting with the official lighting of beacons on 2 June on the grounds of Pedro St. James, in Grand Cayman and at the Christopher Columbus Gardens in Cayman Brac.

An outdoor concert at the venue will showcase performances from the National Choir and the National Orchestra in Grand Cayman, while musical performances will also take place in the Brac.

Friday, 3 June, will include two events – the return of an international air show to the Cayman Islands after an absence of many years, and a live music concert, in downtown George Town. Throughout the weekend, trees will be planted across the islands as part of a special programme called “The Queen’s Green Canopy: Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.

Sunday, 5 June will showcase the Cayman Islands’ religious heritage with a Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen at Elmslie Memorial Church. This will be followed by a children’s tea party at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park on Sunday afternoon.

Finally, on Monday the Queen’s Birthday celebration will take place with the traditional parade and Garden Party at Government House and an evening fireworks display along Seven Mile Beach.

An official statement said venues and times for all the events which are being finalised will be announced in subsequent releases.

Event coordinator Samuel Rose said: “Other events are expected to be added to the calendar throughout the year as celebrations continue until the end of 2022. We certainly look forward to everyone in the Cayman Islands taking part in the celebrations to wholeheartedly express our collective congratulations and well wishes for our beloved Monarch.”

Seventy years ago on February 6th 1952, then Princess Elizabeth acceded to the throne becoming Queen Elizabeth II and embarking on her now seven decades - and counting - reign.

On that anniversary this year, she will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.