This is one of the exciting periods of the year when many Anguillians return home from far and near and when an increasing number of visitors come to the island for the Summer Festival. It is usually a very busy time for Immigration and Customs Officers at Wallblake Airport and the Blowing Point Seaport as they handle the incoming milling throngs. It can be like a beehive at times, especially during the exodus when all the carnival and boat-racing activities, family re-unions and partying are over.

For an island like Anguilla, which is grossly dependent on the tourism industry, the cultural events are most valuable from a publicity and financial standpoint. In addition, the historical significance of the celebrations, calling into focus the abolition of the slave trade more than 200 years ago, should also be of much interest to our people amidst the frolic and gay abandonment. The enslavement of a people is one of the most brutal forms of human indignity and suffering at the hands of other human beings. It must have been a great delight to our African ancestors in these islands when the British Parliament abolished slavery in August 1833 and it is in this freedom that the Summer Festival has its genesis.
It is unfortunate and perhaps an oversight that the parade of troupes and last lap climaxing the Summer Festival has paid little or no attention over the years to having a troupe depicting some aspects of slavery and its abolition. As many of us enjoy the merriment of the festival, we must also remember from whence we came.
In welcoming everyone to our shores at this time, we also include the delegates to the 2008 International Black Summit Event opening alongside the Summer Festival at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre this week. We congratulate the local organising committee for its work in hosting the conference and the planned activities for both the youth and adult participants and hope that it will be a successful event.
It is our hope that good behaviour, a sense of responsibility and respect for others will characterise the Summer Festival thus ensuring the enjoyment and safety of all.

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