Montserrat celebrates ten-year anniversary of volcanic eruption
Christmas Festival celebrations, Montserrat 2004
by Karen Allen
Caribbean News News Montserrat Correspondent
E-mail: asklioness@gmail.com
Thursday, June 16, 2005
BRADES, Montserrat: This year is
Montserrat’s ten-year anniversary of the Soufriére Hills volcanic eruption.
The commemorative celebration was symbolized by the launch of Montserrat on
the Move (MoM) 2005. Coordinators of the
Government of Montserrat project indicate that MoM 2005 is a celebration of
remembrance, resilience and resurrection that showcases Montserrat’s culture
at its best. The Government Information Unit (GIU) indicated that the
project’s objective is to launch an event-packed year that will attract a
steady flow of visitors, who will experience a revived and reenergized
Montserrat.
 Launched
simultaneously with MoM 2005 and funded by the Department of International
Development (DFID), the Montserrat Media Project has offered some of
Montserrat’s media representatives career opportunities, advancement, and
technical training in print and broadcast journalism, and participation in the
Montserrat Tourist Board promotional film production.
The completed promotional film will be showcased to potential investors
throughout the world.
 Other
activities for the Montserrat Media Project include a school photographic
competition and exhibitions at the Montserrat volcano Observatory (MVO) and
the Montserrat National Trust (MNT).
 Evidence
of Montserrat’s government development initiative being on the move is the
many construction developments scattered throughout the northern safe portion
of the island, such as the Lookout Sheltered Housing for senior citizens
pictured to the right.
 The
construction for a brand new cultural centre for $US2.3 million with a seating
capacity of 375 is expected to provide accommodations for the performing arts,
music, exhibitions, conference and meeting facilities.
The Montserrat Chamber of Commerce has emerged with the potential for a major
growth engine in Montserrat’s economy, by their active involvement in
developing projects, such as a new ash products factory.
Now in the last stages of finalization, the new ash products factory will
produce roof tiles with ash as the major ingredient, in addition to a number
of other products that will replace wood in construction.
 The
Government of Montserrat plans a new playfield development for Little Bay in
the northern part of the island, which is hoped to place Montserrat in a
position to host more regional and international matches boosting the sports
tourism sector.
 On July
11, 2005, Montserrat’s Geralds Airport will launch its first Win Air fixed
wing flight service into and out of Montserrat connecting through Antigua’s
international airport. As amply stated by H.E.
the Governor of Montserrat, Deborah Barnes Jones, “Montserrat is back on the
map.” The commemorative Montserrat on the Move 2005 celebration confirms that
Montserrat is ready to receive scientists, technicians, journalists,
naturalists, artists, returning Montserratians, or just the plain old curious.
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