The Monsignor Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC) wishes to clarify an erroneous statement regarding Jounen Kwéyòl in a Loop article entitled, “Vieux Fort should not be isolated due to crime – Jn Baptiste” which was published on 10th October 2022.
The lead sentence of the article written by Sharefil Gaillard states, “Gun violence has taken its toll on Vieux Fort, as the community appears to have been left out from hosting activities such as the annual Blackheart Football Tournament and Jounen Kwéyòl”.
However, nowhere in the article has the writer provided any further information about Jounen Kwéyòl or any argument to support the headline.
Every year communities offer to host Jounen Kwéyòl by rotation. The communities of Vieux Fort did not offer to host for 2022, having last hosted in 2019. Jounen Kwéyòl has been hosted in Vieux Fort ten (10) times and last hosted in 2019.
This year the community will be host to one of the signature events held during Mwa Éwitaj Kwéyòl (Creole Heritage Month) 2022, Fèsten Jwé, on 23rd October 2022 at the Philip ‘Magi’ Marcellin Grounds. Fèsten Jwé or Festival of Games promotes the playing of traditional games in Saint Lucia.
In accordance with this year’s theme, Kilti Sé Djéwizon- Culture Heals and the FRC’s philosophy of community empowerment, we believe and practice the upliftment of all communities within Saint Lucia.