The US Consul General yesterday presented the Premier with a special portrait of one of Bermuda’s early Cup Match heroes.

Lee Rizzuto, who arrived in Bermuda just before the Cup Match holiday this year, said he quickly learnt of its importance to Bermudians and of the disappointment in over the match’s cancellation because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Rizzuto commissioned Texas artist Roberto Ferrel, known as “Rob the Original“, to create an art piece to mark the occasion.

The painting of John “Hodder” Simons, whose creation Mr Ferrel filmed live on his Instagram page, was presented to David Burt at the Cabinet Office this morning.

Mr Rizzuto said when he arrived in Bermuda he was keen to get acquainted with the island and learn more about “Bermuda’s rich culture and unique ties to the United States”.

He added: “It didn’t take long for me to learn what wearing the right or wrong colours meant and why there was such disappointment about the cancellation of Cup Match and surrounding activities over the long weekend.”

“Most importantly, I quickly learned about the history behind the holiday - Emancipation Day - a celebration of the freeing of slaves on August 1, 1834 and newly established Mary Prince Day – commemorating an iconic Bermuda hero who shared her experience of being enslaved which helped progress the anti-slavery movement.”