Government has launched a new initiative featuring the song ‘Proud To Be Bermudian’ as the theme for a number of upcoming events. The announcement was made yesterday, by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Patrice Minors with the song’s creators, John Woolridge and Steve Easton.Ms Minors announced that the Ministry “recently entered into an agreement to acquire the Usage Rights” of the popular song. “In the upcoming weeks we will embark on an wide ranging visual campaign,” said Ms Minors.The campaign is aimed at “engendering and instilling pride” in Bermuda’s residents about the “importance of embracing and recognising the uniqueness of Bermuda’s culture and diversity of its people”.“The mission of the Department is to improve individuals’ sense of belonging to the Bermuda community through selected community-based activities, and to foster and develop a greater sense for and value of Bermuda’s culture and traditions so as to enhance our quality of life and to create unity and pride in our identity as a people.” said Ms Minors.“We believe the Proud to Be Bermudian message fits quite well into our overall awareness objectives.” The song will be incorporated into several signature events sponsored by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs starting next month.Those events include Emancipations celebrations, Seniors Weeks, the Gombey Festival, the Community Education Programme and the Bermuda Rendezvous Programme.And a logo depicting the concept of ‘Proud to Be Bermudian’ will also be used on the department’s letterhead, advertisements, flyers and banners.Ms Minors said: “It’s actually quite timely that we transition into this campaign, as it will come on the heels of our Heritage Month theme of “Celebrating Hospitality Through The Ages”. The theme of “Celebration” will be threaded throughout our Proud To Be Bermudian campaign.”The campaign will also feature “imagery of diverse groups of Bermudians involved in various industries of our community, such as hospitality, agriculture, fisheries, education, business, etc will be featured in promos using the Proud to Be Bermudian music,” she said.“Our intent is simply to engender pride among our people and cause them to pause if only for a moment to really ask themselves what it is about them that makes them Proud to Be Bermudian,” said the Minister.She added: “It is my sincere hope that the community will embrace and welcome this campaign and it is my genuine desire that it will create a positive mood and invoke a healthy cultural dialogue among our people.”The Minister also extended best wishes for a “safe and fun filled” Bermuda Day holiday.