Road Town, Tortola - The book “The Way We Were” by Andria D. Flax is a literary piece of art which takes readers on a journey back to the past as it depicts in its pages the customs, values and traditions of the Virgin Islands in the olden days.
The book, which was inspired by a picture of the author’s grandfather, the late Frederick Smith, takes readers down memory lane and portrays the life of her ancestors the ‘Cay People’ on Peter Island and of Road Town.
Minister of Education and Culture the Honourable Andrew Fahie, at the book launching ceremony held on April 15, described Mrs. Flax as “a shining star for us in the Virgin Islands”. “Through Mrs. Flax our forefathers and our heritage are now speaking,” Minister Fahie said.
He added, “The book is not written naturally it is spiritually divine to give us a reminder, at this time when we have so much controversial issues, that for us to get back as a people we have to go back to who we were”.
Acting Permanent Secretary Ms. Carolyn O’Neal said that through this literary creation persons can encounter many elements that refer to the way it use to be in the Virgin Islands. “In this book Mrs. Flax indeed captured the true spirit and meaning of what it is to be a Virgin Islander”.
Director of Culture Mrs. Luce Hodge Smith spoke about her experience as she flipped through the pages of the book. “The Way We Were” takes you down memory lane. This book reflects on a time when there was a spirit of oneness, peace and tranquillity.
It reminds us about the time when ethics, virtues and values were upheld,” she explained.
Local writer Mrs. Eileene Parsons said “Mrs. Flax has chronicled the upward, onward one day at a time struggle undertaken by the people of Peter Island, some of the southern Cays and the down street people of old Road Town”.
Chief Record Management Officer and writer Mrs. Verna Penn Moll urged the people of the Virgin Islands to awake today toward what this book and author represent to “us as a people”. “This book represents blood, sweat and tears,” she said, adding, “It represents determination, commitment, struggle and perseverance on the part of Mrs. Flax”.
Ms. Chantal Flax, the daughter of the author also congratulated her mother for her achievement. “I do hope that the people of the Virgin Islands are able to read this book through my mom’s eyes and enjoy it as she did writing it,” she said.
Mrs. Flax, the author, reminded her fellow Virgin Islanders that this country was built on “fungi band music” but also by the “blood, sweat, toil and tears” of many but more importantly on “laughter”.
“I have recaptured those emotions in my book. ‘The Way We Were’ is a labour of love and it is about love for family, friends, neighbours, strangers and our Territory,” Mrs. Flax said.
Minister Fahie announced at the ceremony that the Ministry of Education will purchase the first 500 copies of the book to place in the primary schools. The book, which was launched by the Department of Culture, will be available for purchase in local bookstores.
The mission of the Department of Culture is to foster a sense of national pride through the promotion, preservation and development of our cultural heritage, with other related agencies and partners.
British Virgin Islands News