St. Kitts and Nevis marked its 43rd Anniversary of Independence on September 19 with a series of celebrations at home and abroad, culminating in a ceremonial parade at Warner Park attended by thousands of people.
The evening parade brought together citizens, residents, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and visiting representatives for one of the Federation’s major Independence Day traditions.
Governor-General H.E. Dame Marcella Liburd described the occasion as a strong expression of national pride and affection for the Federation.
“It was a beautiful display of St Kitts-Nevis love and pride.”
The parade featured members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, including its Infantry and Coast Guard units, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the SKNDF Cadet Corps. Soldiers dressed in the historic uniform of the 4th West India Regiment also returned to the event, following their introduction to the parade in 2025.
A contingent from the Guyana Defence Force joined the military formations, reflecting the continued cooperation between the two countries’ defence forces.
The event also featured several unarmed groups, including the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Service, His Majesty’s Prison, Customs and Excise Department, the St. Christopher Air and Sea Port Authority Police, the Girl Guides and the Brownies.
The military units first passed the Governor-General in slow time before joining the other groups for the quick-time march. The SKNDF Band provided musical accompaniment, performing pieces including “Scipio,” “Colonel Bogey” and the late King Ellie Matt’s “Viva Saint Kitts.”
A major highlight came from the Department of Creative Economy, which delivered a patriotic musical and cultural presentation featuring local performers Venelle Powell, Joyelle Phillip, Vakiel Herbert and reigning Senior Calypso King Tariq “King Drewzy” Drew.
EBJ Harmonics provided steel pan music, while the Okolo Tegremantine group and other performers presented cultural dances. The performances prompted members of the audience to sing and dance, while Minister of Public Infrastructure Konris Maynard joined the performers on the field during a selection of his patriotic songs.
Acting Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley used his Independence Day address to focus on the responsibilities that accompany nationhood and outlined several areas of national development.
Among the issues highlighted were water security, energy independence, economic empowerment and the Federation’s ability to withstand external shocks.
Hanley said the expansion of water infrastructure had brought reliable 24-hour access to approximately 70 per cent of the population. He also pointed to increases in the minimum wage, pension rights for government auxiliary employees and the Aspire programme, which focuses on financial literacy and wealth-building among young people.
The Acting Prime Minister also referenced the Government’s Sustainable Island State Agenda, including renewable energy projects and efforts to modernise healthcare facilities.
“Independence therefore cannot only be measured by the passing of years… True independence must also be measured by our capacity to provide for our people to withstand shocks beyond our shores”
Linking the Government’s development agenda to the 2026 Independence theme, “One People, One Vision, Endless Possibility,” Hanley pointed to desalination and water security as examples of turning national challenges into opportunities.
“If we can take salt water and turn it into a source of national security, then we can transform the challenges before us into possibility”
The celebrations extended beyond the Federation, with Kittitians and Nevisians in Taiwan also gathering to commemorate the anniversary.
At Ximen Elementary School, nationals and students participated in a day of games and activities, with teams competing in a series of events. The Green Team emerged as the overall winner.
The activities continued with an Independence Day dinner at Amba Taipei-Ximen. The St. Kitts and Nevis Embassy said Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Glenroy Blanchette and members of his delegation also attended while in Taiwan for activities connected to the World Alliance for Disaster Management.
Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Edward Tao, also attended the Independence Parade in St. Kitts and extended congratulations from Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te to Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd and the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The United States also extended Independence Day greetings to the Federation.
“On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis as you celebrate 43 years of independence.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States values its longstanding relationship with St. Kitts and Nevis, citing shared priorities aimed at promoting stability and economic prosperity in the region.
The 43rd Independence celebrations provided a mix of military tradition, cultural performances and reflections on the Federation’s progress since gaining independence in 1983, while bringing together citizens at home and abroad under this year’s theme of “One People, One Vision, Endless Possibility.”
Patriotic fervour at Warner Park
Showing respect for the National Anthem
Celebrations were also held in Taiwan for SKN’s independence.
