The Third Annual Kwéyòl Lecture will be hosted on Tuesday April 30, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Castries Central Library.
The lecture hosted by Kay Kwéyòl, the organization responsible for hosting the Annual National Kwéyòl Song Competition was first introduced in 2022 when Dr Travis Weeks spoke on the topic, “Gwandi maizon-a; nou bizwen pli chamn”. It was an in depth look at the impact of theatre and the arts on the Saint Lucian landscape; the influence of the arts on behaviour and how theatre and the arts can be used to influence behaviour change. Last year Nkrumah Lucien lectured on Kwéyòl as a language, as an identity and a local and international ongoing conversation.
The lectures are all academic in nature and aim to expose the Kwéyòl language as much more than just a tool for casual conversation or (as very often referred to) “slang” or “broken French dialect”.
During the month of April, we take time to recognise the significance of libraries and the important role they play in our lives. April also heralds May – observed as Reading Month here in Saint Lucia.
“What better time to host this lecture,” said Caron Tobiere, Executive Director of Kay Kwéyòl. “It is also most opportune that this third edition of the Annual Kwéyòl Lecture will be delivered at the Central Library in Castries, the place where we go to find books and Literature”.
Dr Kentry Jn Pierre, the 2024 lecturer will speak on the topic, “Litéwati Kwéyòl: i avoudwé ében i ka ègzisté?” (Kwéyòl Literature: aspirational or existing?) Dr Jn Pierre describes himself as “an educator and a creolist”. He is passionate about preserving Saint Lucia’s history and traditions and has previously served as Executive Director of the Monsignor Patrick Anthony Folk Research Center and a Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Industries and Culture of Saint Lucia. He brings a wealth of knowledge of our Kwéyòl language and folk traditions to a discussion that promises to be informative, educational and entertaining.
The public is invited to be part of this educational event.