PI bridge to be named after Poitier

As of Wednesday, October 10, 2012

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ 40th Independence anniversary celebrations will open next month with the rededication of the Paradise Island Bridge in honour of Sir Sidney Poitier.

Prime Minister Perry Christie announcing plans to honour Bahamian actor Sir Sidney Poitier, during the launching of The Bahamas’ 40th Independence Anniversary celebrations. Pictured from left are Dr. Nicolette Bethel, co-chair Independence Committee; Prime Minister Christie; Charles Carter, co-chair Independence Committee; Philip Davis, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works & Urban Development; and architect Michael Foster. Photo: Peter Ramsay/BIS

During a press conference at the Churchill building, Prime Minister Perry Christie announced, in a joint venture with Atlantis, that the 40th anniversary celebrations will open on November 2 through 3 with a bridge renaming ceremony connection, concert and fireworks show.

Mr Christie said Sir Sidney has not only an inspirational life story, but has also made “significant contributions” through diplomacy representing the Bahamas, firstly at UNESCO and later as Ambassador to Japan.

“Hopefully,” he said this (the celebrations) will symbolise to the Bahamas that “we are beginning a process that is intended to unite us and bring focus to what really keeps us together and minimises what divides us – that is the intent, to deepen and further the advance of our civilisation that is the Bahamas.”

Additionally, the Government has also committed to building a new Centre for the Performing Arts that will also be named in Sir Sidney’s honour.

“It is time for us now to give also to those who are artists, actors and actresses, producers and directors, to release them and give their talent the best possible opportunity to be developed in the best possible facility – we are going to use the 40th anniversary as a catalyst,” said Mr Christie.

Mr Christie said the Bahamas’ 40th Independence celebration is also an opportunity to ensure that the history of the Bahamas and the works and lives of influential Bahamians are recorded and preserved.

He added that it also will be marketed so that not only the Bahamas but the world can enjoy this celebration of heritage and culture.

“I want to invite all Bahamians to see this as an extraordinary beginning to the committee’s work and know that we will bring tremendous focus to all that is right about the Bahamas and we hope in the process to receive the intention of the world and already major efforts are being made to make this an event weekend that the world will take note of,” he said.

Co-chairs of the Bahamas’ 40th Independence Anniversary Steering Committee, Dr Nicollette Bethel and Charles Carter said the 40th anniversary is about building up a national identity and reclaiming Bahamian heritage and culture.

Mr Carter said the celebrations are intended to bridge the gap between generations of Bahamians.

“It will be a joining of generations, and I sincerely mean that, from the generation that brought you Independence,” said Mr Carter.

When asked how much the government intends to spend on the anniversary, Mr Carter said celebrating what it is to be Bahamian is “priceless”.

“It is priceless, how much do you spend to be you – we don’t want to make money the focus of this because what we are trying to do is reclaim our heritage and that is priceless,” he said. “We look at ourselves as being priceless, that is the beauty of this, it is the greatest process that any person can be involved in, the rediscovery of who you are.”

Mr Carter said Singer Jennifer Hudson will be performing at the concert next month and further announcements regarding ticket information will be announced shortly.

More like this story

reverendrichlive 12 years ago

What a classic reply to the dumb question of " how much ? ", thank you Mr. Charles Carter. These honors are over due, but in Bahamian fashion I say " better late than never." Sir Sidney Poitier is well deserving of these honors. He along with Calvin Lockhart were my inspiration when I was acting and modeling. To the Steering Commitee, your labour is acknowledged and greatly appreciated. Remember also the late Bahamian actor, the smooth, Calvin Lockhart , and let's not forget radio pioneer who brought us " The Young Bahamian radio shows, Charles Carter.

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2012…

digimagination 12 years ago

The bridge... and how about Poitier's Cay, anyone?

sansoucireader 12 years ago

If the 40th anniversary of independence "is about building up a national identity and reclaiming Bahamian heritage and culture" why is non-Bahamian Jennifer Hudson headlining a celebration concert?

concernedcitizen 12 years ago

i say name both bridges after Everette Bannister ,we was good at collecting finder fees everytime the boys sold the original bridge ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,lol

TalRussell 12 years ago

Comrades if we can name a Highway in Nasssau after that big ears member of the Royal family, Prince Charles. The Queen's Highway in Freeport after he mommy. What about when President J.F. Kennedy had Highway in Nassau named after him, so what's the big deal naming a Bridge after Sidney?

Personally, I'd have advised PM Christie to have named the Bridge, 'The Henry.and Janet Bostwick Bridge'....cause they still here in Bahamaland and they roots and them ain't never gone no where further than one we Family Islands.

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2012…

concernedcitizen 12 years ago

and the PM and DPM after indepence were first generation bahamians ,with jamaican and barbaidian parents ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

spoitier 12 years ago

High Schools and Libraries is reserve for esteem peoples like the Bostwick, A country like the Bahamas should have something name after the great Sir Sidney.

TalRussell 12 years ago

Comrades I say best you just hold on one damn minute. Let there be no more of this messing around with 'we' Bahamalands 'own 'Homer Smith.'

To reduce this 'native' son to but his accomplishments on Bahamaland's soil, is to ignore the all this man has accomplished on the world scene. Lillies of the Field was not just another movie made by an actor. Comrades it was made in the thick of the civil rights movement. Picture a back man in living with a group of white nuns, was in itself an eyebrow raiser in the 60's, as was the first Black Actor to ever win the prestigious Academy Award for Best Performance by an lead Actor.

Then to masterfully capture this scene when racists attitudes where at their highest ever levels, to the joy of millions of movie goers around the world, is not something any native should come on here today, to attempt to brush aside.

Let's all allow for another hundred years, the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge stand as but an token of our Bahamaland's appreciation, for a job well done by one of 'our' very own native sons. A life lived with distinction.

And, all the Comrade natives must come together as one, on the naming of 'The Homer Smith Bridge.'

Amen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCzTyxXP…

concernedcitizen 12 years ago

SIR SIDNEY ,,,TO SIR WITH LOVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TalRussell 12 years ago

Comrades for anyone to come on here, daring to suggest that Sidney's boyhood days on Cat island is not deep inside the character of the man he became and remains to this day is total rubbish.

Of course there are others as deserving of having this bridge named in their honour, but this was decided by PM Christie, not to be their special moment in time.

Don't you dare tell Sidney his place of honour is 'below,' not at the very top of some bridge in Bahamaland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPnmxB9m…

TalRussell 12 years ago

Sidney Poitier part 3 of 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZV2UyZy…

TalRussell 12 years ago

Sidney Poitier part 4 of 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo5TK8nT…

jackflash 12 years ago

I have nothing against him but I disagree with the bridge being named after him.

He is a millionair, but show me a park or a school or one community project which he did with his millions here in the Bahamas. I may be wrong so please correct me if so.

How about the Sir Sidney school of acting so that other young Bahamains could learn the art.

That would warrent a bridge being renamed after him.

In closing I do not think that this is a PLP politics act in any way, just a not well thought out plan.

There are plenty of well deserving Bahamains who have made real controbutions which should be honnored.

wtf...

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