Junkanoo -- the festival that stands at the pinnacle of Bahamian cultural expression -- took an historic leap forward today when organizers had announced that BTC had stepped up to the gate with a total of $206,000 in contributions to underwrite a major portion of the expense of the junior and senior parades and for the first time the company will provide to all choreographed dancers in the A&B class groups.

The announcement was made at a press conference this morning at the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture. Among those attending were Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture Charles Maynard, Junkanoo leaders and BTC executives including the CEO Geoff Huston.

"Junkanoo is synonymous with The Bahamas, a cultural Tradition that unties all The Bahamas and all Bahamians", said Huston. "The colors, the costumes, the pulsating beat, the rhythm, of Junkanoo are uniquely Bahamian and we at BTC are proud to partner with all those who pour so much of their energy and soul into Junkanoo. We are proud to play an important role in assisting the festival revered by Bahamians and respected by those abroad who come to the islands to experience it and applaud, wide-eyed at the energy and magic of Junkanoo."

The contributions -- $100,000 for the parades, $56,000 split between all A & B choreographed dance sections and $50,000 for Junior Junkanoo -- were greeted with gratitude by officials and the Junkanoo Corporation.

"As chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation New Providence Ltd., I am deeply honoured to acknowledge and record an historic moment in the annals of Junkanoo in the Bahamas," said Silbert Ferguson, Chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation New Providence Ltd. (JCPN). "For hundreds of years, the people of the Bahamas have expressed their cultural uniqueness in the Junkanoo Festival which today is freely recognized as the National Cultural Festival of the Bahamas."

"For the first time in our illustrations history, the senior Junkanoo parades in New Providence have attracted a single major sponsor -- The Bahamas Telecommunications Company. It is the largest sponsorship donation ever received. BTC's signifigant sponsorship gives the company Diamond Sponsor status for the Junkanoo Parades in New Providence. Thus, the upcoming Junkanoo parades will be named the BTC 2011 Boxing Day Parade and the BTC 2012 New Year's parade - the first time that the Senior Junkanoo parades will have a title sponsor."

According to Huston the donation to the Junior Junkanoo parade was of particular interest.

"The talent display every year during Junior Junkanoo is amazing. What we see during the Junior Junkanoo parade is the result – the costumes, dance, music, choreography, the team work on the part of the teachers, parents and students – a combination of creativity and discipline that reinforces the value of working together. We at BTC believe that it is important to reward those efforts and to nurture and encourage the continuation of the festival by involving succeeding generations and we believe that it signifies our commitment to community.”
This year’s Junior Junkanoo parade is scheduled for December 8.

Ferguson expressed appreciation on behalf of all the Junkanoo A groups.
“I wish to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Junkanoo Corporation New Providence Ltd., its member groups and individual, to express our heartfelt gratitude for this most generous gesture on the part of BTC. We are deeply grateful for their support as we strive to move Junkanoo into a bright future and secure its pride of place on the culture calendar.”

BTC, always a strong corporate partner with efforts ranging from sponsorship of the BAAA’s international track and field events to education and health events, has increased its presence in recent months, including a major sponsorship for CARIFTA.