By Robert Andre Emmanuel
The National Festivals Commission will stage a candlelight vigil in remembrance of late colleague Keith Yearwood this weekend.
Yearwood was described as a devoted employee and pillar of the organisation, helping it in numerous avenues including as the Commission’s chief archivist.
Yearwood died in June during an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
The Festivals Commission held a press conference yesterday to give its assessment of Carnival 2024, including successes and issues experienced at this year’s celebrations and potential changes needed for Carnival 2025.
Creative Industries Minister Daryll Matthew spoke about Yearwood’s contributions to the Commission.
“Carnival this year just didn’t feel the same without Keith; he has always been one of those persons who you ask him to do anything he’s there for you, and it is so ironic that he died doing what he loved best and that is volunteering and working along with the government of Antigua and Barbuda to deliver a fantastic event,” Minister Matthew said.
The candlelight vigil will take place this Sunday at 6:30pm in front of the Commission’s office on Redcliffe Street. The Commission will then close its office on Monday to attend Yearwood’s funeral.
Meanwhile, the minister said that he is not committing to any plans to hold future Carnival events to celebrate the life of the late Ricardo Drue.
This year was the first Carnival since Drue’s sudden passing last December, which shocked Antigua and Barbuda and much of the regional music industry. This season also saw the first ‘Druesday’ – an annual event headlined by the soca artiste around his birthday – without the star himself.
“I know that we have done quite a lot over the past eight months since his untimely and tragic passing…we will ensure that his work and his legacy is never forgotten,” Minister Matthew said.
“Can I say that there will be a continuous activity to honour him every Carnival? I can’t say that that is a realistic expectation—and that is not to disrespect him—but we will certainly ensure that his work continues to shine in Antigua and Barbuda in the years to come.”
