The La Rose Festival or “La Woz”, an event held annually in observance of Saint Lucia’s rich cultural history and heritage, has been enjoyed thoroughly for generations – by both the old and the young.
Celebrated on August 30, and emerging during slavery, it is quite the spectacle, and one of two flower festivals in Saint Lucia.
Honouring St Rose of Lima, this festival culminates the same way it begins: with songs and dances that capture the attention of onlookers and dramatic displays that are equally riveting.
It has attracted a number of young people over the years, including students from around the island, the festival and its counterpart, La Marguerite, is far from what it could be.
With greater youth involvement, La Rose and La Marguerite, without a doubt, could be even more appealing.
Whilst hundreds participate in these events every year, with low youth involvement they face an imminent death, albeit slowly.
Last week, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre encouraged Saint Lucians to join the upcoming celebrations and to take pride in their culture.
He was also visited by the Monchy La Rose Group much to his surprise. That idea was sparked by the Ministry of Tourism.
These two festivals – La Rose and La Marguerite, are a crucial part of Saint Lucia’s identity, the prime minister and his Permanent Secretary acknowledged, and no doubt, should be continued for generations to come.
Nonetheless, they are dying a slow death.
The Prime Minister’s P.S., Esther Rigobert, said that La Rose is “still alive and well”, however noted that a lot more can be done.
In an interview, the P.S. stated that over the course of time, attention has declined. Meaning, “governments, civil society (and) the private sector have not given the attention needed” to ensure that generations to come welcome these festivals with open arms.
“There’s a lot more that can be done (and) I want to encourage the public to embrace it,” she said.
But as to why so many young people shy away from the event or find it unappealing is really not complex. For, as we can see, year after year, young people are often involved, however, not in large numbers or in any way the groups can tout about.
La Rose and La Marguerite is often seen as an ‘old people tradition’ – not one geared towards the youth. Of course, that is a misconception.
What then can be done to change these misguided beliefs?
In her interview which was done with THE VOICE, the P.S. noted the underlying cause.
“I think it’s multifaceted. It’s probably a deficiency in our system where we focus on other things – academics, (for example), but there are aspects of our heritage (which) over the years (have dissipated). I think what can be done is to have the organizers and the ministry responsible to take it to the schools (and) have the students learn” about the festivals and what they entail, so that as they get older it will remain.
When children are unaware of the importance of festivals like La Rose, it is difficult to introduce it to them later on, the P.S. said.
And of course, it is critical to keep the culture alive. The proverbial torch must be passed on or this part of our culture will fade into obscurity and will die with the Roses and Marguerites who fought to keep them alive.
We encourage the La Marguerite and La Rose groups to pursue the options suggested by the P.S. and to seek corporate support – if that hasn’t been done.
And as we get ready to celebrate the La Rose Festival next week, we urge Saint Lucians to immerse themselves in the culture and to use it as a learning moment.
For, as historian Johan Huizinga puts it, “if we are to preserve culture we must continue to create it.”