Kittians, Nevisian and Anguillians take over the city Friday July 1-Sunday July 3.
Desmona Forde
Planning is in full gear by The St. Kitts and Nevis Cultural Association of Montreal, host of this year’s Anguilla, Nevis, and St. Kitts Associations Reunion (ANSAR) elaborate weekend event.
Under the theme “Moving mountains to Strengthen our Youth and Nation through Education,” the 3-day celebration will be held at The Holiday Inn and Suites, Pointe Claire, the weekend of Friday July 1-Sunday July 3.
Activities will include a ‘meet and greet’ the Friday evening. Ceremonies on Saturday morning will include two luncheons, a market place and Montreal city tour. The Grand Banquet and Ball takes place on Saturday night, then a church service on Sunday morning.
The weekend’s events culminate on Sunday afternoon with a cultural extravaganza. It will be an occasion to share, renew acquaintances and re-establish family connections, worship and celebrate our traditions together.
ANSAR was conceived in Montreal in 1984; since then the event has been held every two years either in Canada, the U.K., the U.S. and/or St. Kitts.
Successful reunions have been held in Leeds, Birmingham, U.K.; Miami, New York and Buffalo, U.S; Toronto and Basseterre, St. Kitts.
The idea to assemble as many member organizations as possible for one reunion is still resonant; this year’s ANSAR 2016 attests to that. It will be celebrated in its birthplace, Montreal. Up to 500 people are expected to converge on Montreal, including an impressive group of confirmed dignitaries such as the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. The Right Hon. Timothy Harris; The Hon. Vance Amory, Premier of Nevis; Her Excellency Shirley Skerritt, High Commissioner of St. Kitts and Nevis in Ottawa; Mr.John Allen, Honorary Consul for St. Kitts and Nevis in Toronto; and His Worship, Mr. Morris Trudeau, mayor of Pointe Claire. Organizers are awaiting confirmation of the presence of Montreal mayor Mr. Denis Coderre and The Hon. Victor Banks, Chief Minister of Anguilla.
Montrealers of all backgrounds are invited to join in the weekend festivities; the businesses, associations and individuals are encouraged to consider the ANSAR 2016 marketplace for vendor opportunities by advertising in the full colour High Gloss Souvenir Journal.
For more info. on ANSAR 2016 visit our website,
montreal.ansar2016.com (email: info@ansar2016.com), or contact the St. Kitts and Nevis Cultural Association of Montreal, Constantine Greenaway, chair, planning committee @ (514)773-6267.