Present-day Saint Kitts and Nevis was the site of Great Britain’s first Caribbean settlement in 1623. Following centuries of British and French colonial rule, Saint Kitts and Nevis, together with Anguilla, became a self-governing state in association with Great Britain in 1967. Since the 1983 independence of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the two-island federation and the United States have enjoyed friendly diplomatic relations.

Modern Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis

 

St Kitts and Nevis is a two-island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Both islands were formed by volcanic activity and are mountainous. St Kitts is a fertile island with mainly black sandy beaches. Nevis is surrounded by coral reefs and has silver beaches. 

Key facts

• Region: Caribbean and Americas
• Population: 52,000 (2018) 
• Area: St Kitts: 176 square kilometres, Nevis: 93 square kilometres 
• Capital: Basseterre 
• Joined Commonwealth: 1983, following independence from Britain 

Secretariat support for St Kitts and Nevis 

Elections 

The Secretariat worked with the government of St Kitts and Nevis to research women’s involvement in politics. In April 2018, a report, Women and Political Parties in Five Small States of the Commonwealth Caribbean was launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London. 

Peace and security 

In June 2019, the Secretariat worked with St Kitts and Nevis to involve women and young people in working with local communities on violent crime and male violence against women and girls.

Human rights 

The Commonwealth Small States Office helped St Kitts and Nevis with reporting on human rights under the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. 

Youth 

In 2017-18, the Secretariat helped senior officials from St Kitts and Nevis build skills to set up a new National Youth Policy. 

Debt management 

The Secretariat helped St Kitts and Nevis government build skills and knowledge to switch to Meridian, the new version of the Commonwealth’s debt management system.

Blue Charter

St Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Marine Protected Areas and Sustainable Blue Economy Action Groups.

Connectivity Agenda

St Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Regulatory and Supply Side Connectivity clusters of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda. The Connectivity Agenda is a platform for countries to exchange best practices and experiences to trade and investment and undertake domestic reform.

St Kitts and Nevis in the Commonwealth 

Celebrated author Caryl Phillips, born in St Kitts in March 1958, won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize in 2004 with his book, A Distant Shore. 

St Kitts and Nevis is a forward thinking country, with a population proud to be part of the international community. Events such as the St Kitts Music Festival demonstrate their modern outlook on festivities, and it draws many visitors, and artists, from around the world. The Latin Festival, held in October, brings attention to their geographic proximity to Central and South America, and showcases upbeat music and dancing. Yet the country also has a rich heritage, since it was one of the first places in the Caribbean to be settled by the British Empire. The reenactment of the Battle of St Kitts, held in March, is a fun way to observe how life has changed since then.

Battle of St Kitts reenactment

This St. Kitts and Nevis holiday held annually on March 28, takes place over three days at Brimstone Hill Fort. History comes alive as the famous battle between British and French forces in 1782 is reenacted here. It is a great spectacle that allows you to imagine this aspect of colonial life in the 18th century. The real battle actually took place on January 25th and 26th but the modern reenactment takes place in March.

St Kitts Music Festival

An internationally acclaimed music festival held over the last weekend of June each year. It has been running for 16 years, and now many international artists come to perform at the festival, playing pop, jazz, and reggae, amongst other styles. There is no onsite accommodation at the festival, so visitors usually stay in nearby hotels. Tickets for the festival can sell out months before, so it is worth purchasing early on if you intend on going.

Culturama

This is the smaller island of Nevis’ answer to the main annual festival held in St Kitts. It is held over the last weekend of July, and features similar music, street dancing, parades, and pageants.

Independence Day

Independence Day is a public holiday that celebrates the independence and formation of the sovereign nation of St Kitts and Nevis. During the week either side of the day communities have a schedule of events including parades, picnics, and formal cocktail receptions.

Latin Fiesta

This is a more recent addition to the annual festival calendar, and is growing in popularity. Held over the last weekend in October, the festival showcases Latin culture through film, music, and dancing. Some events are free to join.

St Kitts Carnival

A fun festival held from the middle of December until early January each year, with lively events happening over the Christmas period. For example, a major highlight of the festival is “J’ouvert morning,” whereby steel and brass bands parade through the streets playing music that many people dance to. The music goes well into the early hours of the morning. It is an extremely lively festival, and the basis is to celebrate St Kitts and Nevis’ proud Caribbean culture.

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