Online survey seeks views on culture policy
Local folk singers (Photo courtesy CNCF)
(CNS): As government continues to create the Cayman Islands’ first National Culture and Heritage Policy and Strategic Plan, a survey has been published online seeking input from the local community. Officials said the comprehensive survey was designed to “garner the widest possible feedback from all individuals in the Cayman Islands” to provide a genuine opportunity to contribute to the shaping of the policy.
“The survey is designed to give the public the opportunity to have a voice in the information-gathering stage of the policy formation as well as to contribute to what will become the vision, values and potential objectives of the policy,” the ministry responsible for culture said in a release.
The findings of the survey, along with the reports from the six focus groups of the steering committee, will be compiled into an analysis on culture and heritage in the islands, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Culture by the end of July.
Survey results will be used to feed into the framework for the new policy and strategic plan, which is expected to roll out over a 10-year period, from 2017 to 2027.
Category: Community, Local News
Some people seem to be confused by the words culture and heritage.
Culture is determined by the environment you live in, its influence is current. Everybody has cultural influence.
Heritage is where you have came from.
The main trouble in Cayman and its heritage is that no one is really prepared to give it the attention it needs on a day to day basis. It isn’t just a thing you can throw money at (the politician’s preferred solution to any problem), it is something that needs some serious practical and pro-active support by Caymanian groups with true concern about an area of heritage, maintained on a long term basis.
The Goldfield (IMHO) was a good example of Cayman’s approach. At no small expense (I assumed at the time) and to much pomp and ceremony this famous old Cayman-built schooner was brought back from the USA to GT Harbour where the Governor of the day gave a speech and there was national rejoicing. A trust was created, a group of individuals were named as trustees and she was parked in Governors Harbour. Fast forward a few months and she was parked … on the bottom of Governor’s harbour – she had slowly sunk for want of a little TLC because no-one had actually got off their chuff and done anything.
This was something that was specific, palpable, a true icon Cayman could point at. If she wasn’t fit to float she could have been exhibited on land – maybe as an attraction near GT harbour. But she was simply forgotten about as soon as the fuss was over – abandoned to benign neglect.
Let’s hope the same indifference is a thing of the past. There are a lot of sneery posts on this thread about Cayman’s heritage and culture – and to an extent it’s the fault of Caymanians for neglecting it so much.
.Barbados cann teach you a bit on this culture thing.
What’s with the recent influx of Barbados comments?
Anything to do with the Barbados day coming up?
The introduction of some culture sounds like a sound policy.
“Culture” is the same the world over. Dress up in stupid costumes, dance silly dances and eat weird animal dishes.
But it’s a good excuse to waste public funds.
Part of the cultural policy should be to demand that Henry Muttoo and his posse stop putting on a Jamaican Rundown and give us a Caymanian one instead.
Govt wastes $200,000. Plus in salaries for Muttoo and his wife, not to mention the ‘cocktail parties’ hosted by management. Money that is badly diverted from the needy.
What is the difference? Well, a Caymanian Rundown blames everything on Jamaicans. Or the British. Or homosexuals.
And how much is this going to cost?
Civil servants pen pushing attending meetings sending memos presenting papers more meetings and photocopying and the result is a lengthy self serving questionnaire which will produce no results.
I hate to think what this waste of pen pushers time will have cost.
cayman culture?….what is that?
Same old turtles, rope, baskets, catboats, singing and dancing, whittling, and tall tale telling. Plus some heavy cake, ground provisions and other inedibles.
You left off endemic corruption and homophobia.
what about discrimination, animal cruelty, ignorance and hypocrisy???
And hate for expats! Don’t forget that little gem !
All countries hate the expats. Trump hates them all. The UK hate the polish, Indians, etc.
Yogurt has culture, Europe has culture.
The word culture is being confused with ‘tradition’ and ‘heritage’ , which is what Cayman has.
What do we elect our public figures for if not to get on and do the job. Yet another ridiculously long survey. Are CIG incapable of coming up with such a strategy?
It’s peeps like you that vote in “gardeners” and expect them to become financial experts by being Minister of Finance. Then they waste Government funds by singly signing contracts and agreements that have no value for money. Has the rules changed for politicians to have degrees and relevant experience? Why would you suppose that your vote qualifies someone to have the technical expertise and know how on all topics. You should be happy that the Minister for culture is asking for our input in such a topic that will benefit us and our children. What’s the problem? Don’t you have constructive feedback to give on such an important topic? Or, you just want to be free to make ignorant comments! My my. It’s called democracy, inclusiveness, and making sure you come up with policy acceptable to the people you serve. Go siddown…geez!