friendship between two nations, and also spoken directly about the pain of a shared history. from the darkest days of our past and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude. emancipation, self—government, and independence were your waypoints. freedom, justice, and self—determination have been your guides. an acknowledgement of the past as this island looked forward. that was bridgetown overnight. and this was earlier — president sandra mason swore in the new government. also present was the singer rhianna, who has been honoured as a national hero. barbadians are proud people, y'know?