Last weekend’s hosting of Jounen Kwéyòl brought to an end a month-long calendar of events marking Mwa Ewitaj Kwéyòl {Creole Heritage Month}.
While other communities mounted their own celebratory activity, including Chassin, Babonneau and Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques, only three were officially designated hosting communities: La Clery in Castries North, La Caye in Dennery South, and Vieux Fort South.
Thousands who patiently looked forward to the day, October 25th, flocked the three venues to sample the many creole flavours they expected to be on display.
St. Lucia’s October 25th Creole Day celebration was days ahead of the official internationally recognized Creole Day, which is Wednesday October 28th 2026, which has not been forgotten in some quarters.
The Monsignor Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC), in collaboration with the Government of Saint Lucia and the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), will celebrate International Creole Day (Jounen Kwéyòl Entennasyonnal) today, Wednesday, October 28, 2026, under the theme “Sélébwasyon Lanng Kwéyòl Pou Jennès” (A Celebration of the Kwéyòl Language for Youth).
The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the National Cultural Centre, Barnard Hill, Castries. This year’s celebration will place young people at the centre of the programme, recognising their vital role in preserving and promoting Kwéyòl as a living language and an essential part of Saint Lucia’s cultural identity.
International Creole Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the shared heritage of creole-speaking communities and reaffirms the importance of safeguarding Creole languages. For Saint Lucia, the occasion serves as a reminder that preserving Kwéyòl requires not only recognising its historical and cultural significance but also ensuring that it remains relevant, accessible and widely used by younger generations.
In keeping with this year’s youth-centred theme, the programme is expected to provide a platform for young people to share their experiences of learning and using Kwéyòl, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges they encounter in engaging with the language.
Presentations will feature:
- Jason “Bachelor” Joseph
- Students from several primary and secondary schools
The cultural programme will include performances by:
- George “Fish” Alphonse
- Silver Shadow Dancers
- Manmay La Kay Folk Band
- L’Association Toe Lobie (French Guiana)
- Éclats D’Or du Gosier (Guadeloupe)
- The winner of the 2026 Chante Kwéyòl competition
The event is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend.