Editor's Letter

As summer comes to a close after a record-breaking season and the islands are gearing up for an even busier winter season, we welcome you to issue 14 of Antigua & Barbuda The Citizen. Antigua’s technicolour carnival took place earlier this month after a two-year hiatus, filling the island with music and joy. This issue’s cover story celebrates the music at the heart of the Caribbean, which like so much here in the islands, stems from the people’s West African roots. Soca music is the unmistakable soundtrack of the carnival. Antiguanborn Ricardo Drue is one of the rising stars in this ever-popular genre; he discusses his passion for Soca and his new album with us. Broadcaster Andi Oliver’s life has been filled with music and food. She talks to us about how a recent visit to the islands to film a television programme changed her life forever. After last issue’s impactful conservation article written by Sadhguru himself, this time, we are privileged to be able to ask the yogi, mystic, and tireless soil conservationist all the burning questions we have for him about his life mission and teachings. As they say, “necessity is the mother of invention”, which is indeed why many women in Antigua & Barbuda and the wider Caribbean have become incredible innovators and inventors. The first CaribbWIIN event, which took place on the island to celebrate and gather these amazing females, is documented by Maria Blackman. Brit Katie Cooper and her husband found themselves by chance in Antigua and, after falling in love with the place, are now proud citizens of the country. We speak to Katie about why the twin islands are a fabulous place to live and belong. Another new citizen, François Geleyns, shows us some of his quirky snaps, which take a fresh look at the beauty of the islands. Marie Kinsella, our featured artist in this issue, has also made the island her adopted home, albeit a few decades earlier. Inspired by the nature and colours of the island, she took up painting, and her wonderful colourful art evokes the lifestyles of the old Antigua.

Not everyone loves snakes, but Antigua & Barbuda is deservedly proud of the harmless, endemic Antiguan racer snake, which has been brought back from the brink of extinction. Shanna Challenger talks about the measures introduced to ensure this incredible species is thriving again in the country’s offshore islands. And last, but not least, our citizenship by investment experts kindly share their thoughts and opinions with us. On behalf of The Citizen team, we would like to thank everyone for their contributions and support. Happy reading!