As Old Year’s Night ended and 2008 began, hundreds of Dominicans gathered on the Bayfront in Roseau to see the Reunion 2008 Torch. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit carried the torch to officially launch the 30th Anniversary celebrations for Dominica.
Reunion 2008 will entail a year-long schedule of events, culminating with Independence celebrations in November. Reunion 2008 Committee Member Alwyn Bully stated the goal of Reunion 2008 as follows:
“In short it will promote a renewal of spirit that will be facilitated by a recognition of our shortcomings, a celebration of our achievements, an activation of our full potential and a willingness to participate in the building of a new Dominica that will take its rightful place within the Caribbean Community in the 21st century.”
Many Dominicans are expected to return for Reunion 2008, especially during October and November for Independence (November 3rd) and the World Creole Music Festival. Many hoteliers have stated that their rooms are already booking up quickly, and the government has said it will put into place some plans to increase the number of rooms available in Dominica.