Very few people can say they were there when Culturama got its name. Clara ‘Bridget’ Hunkins is one of the few people who can. More than five decades after witnessing the festival’s birth in 1974, Ms. Hunkins has been named the Patron of Culturama 52.

The announcement was made by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Culture on Nevis, Hon. Eric Evelyn, during the media launch of the festival on June 11^th. This is the voice of Ms. Shea Swanston-Wilkin as she read the profile of this year’s patron:

Beyond her business life as a Sales Manager at S. Hunkins Sons Ltd, she has assisted in developing Nevis’ cultural sector by playing several formative roles. She supported and helped organize key festival events, including Calypso, Soca, and the Queen Show competitions, serving at times as a judge and chaperone for contestants. Beyond participation, she contributed to innovative youth and cultural showcases such as Miss Gingerette and Mr. and Miss Talented Youth Pageants, which expanded opportunities for younger performers.

Ms. Hunkins has contributed to the evolution of productions such as the Miss Leeward Islands Queen Show, helping to shape it into what is now known as the Miss Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant. She is also known for her practical support, including providing chairs, fabrics, decorations, and other resources to assist with festival staging. As the countdown to the festival continues, residents and visitors alike are asked to support what officials describe as “the Caribbean’s greatest summer lime.”