Kiltisé Jéwizyon – Kwéyòl-la saendépanse̕ péyinou (Culture is the cure – Kwéyòl can help heal our nation) is the theme of the annual Kwéyòl conference, hosted by the Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC) to be held on October 28 and 29th 2021.
The conference will examine the power of the Kwéyòl language to convey positive expressions of unity and healing and the effective use of the Kwéyòl in the dispensation of justice in the OECS countries. The sessions are designed to showcase the critical role and tremendous potential and use of the Kwéyòl language in traditional and contemporary music, explanation of the use and value of traditional medicine and healing, and public educations on issues related to sustainable development.
The presentations will be delivered by linguists, language experts and researchers from organizations and institutions in the Caribbean region. Among the presenters are Msgr. Patrick Anthony of the FRC, Dr Sandra Evans of the UWI, St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago, Gregory Rabess of the Komité Pou EtidKwéyòl in Dominica and Raphael Confiant, Creole novelist and teacher from Martinique, and Pastor Wulstan Charles of the Saint Lucia Mission of Seventh day Adventists.
The conference will be live streamed by the FRC. October 28th, is the day which has been designated by Creole speaking countries globally, for the collective celebration of the language spoken by over fifteen million people around the world.
The annual Kwéyòl conference is one of many events hosted by the FRC as part of the celebration of MwaEwitajKwéyòl, formerly Creole Heritage Month. It has taken on heightened importance over the past three years, following the initiatives by the governments of Saint Lucia and the Commonwealth of Dominica to implement policies and programmes for the teaching of Kwéyòl in schools.
The FRC has been at the vanguard of the research, development and promotion of the Kwéyòl since its establishment in 1973. FRC continues to encourage Saint Lucians to join its efforts and its work on the development of the cultural and language resources.