Preparations for Saint Lucia’s biggest cultural festival are at an advanced stage.
Under the direction of the Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC) in collaboration with Events Company of Saint Lucia, the most widely celebrated cultural event in Saint Lucia, Jounen Kwéyòl, will take place on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
Creole Heritage Month (observed in October) will begin with a Sep. 15 launch at the Bexon playing field. A church service in Kwéyòl will open the way for the celebration. At the launch, the Bexon playing field will host a mini Jounen Kwéyòl opening celebration with a display of traditional technologies, vending and entertainment.
The three host communities for Creole Heritage Month/Jounen Kwéyòl 2024 are:
• Dennery, in the East
• Mon Repos, in the East
• Anse La Raye, in West
Throughout the month of October, activities will be held by the three host communities, while national events include Fèt Magwit, La Wenn ek Le Wa Kwéyòl pageant, Jennès pageant, Woulélaba, Fèsten Tanbou and many more activities.
Jounen Kwéyòl which is the brainchild of the Folk Research Centre, and is celebrated in recognition of Jounen Kwéyòl Entonnasyonal (International Creole Day) which is observed on Oct. 28, each year.
The creole festival aims to improve public awareness of the strength and value of the Kwéyòl language, and to assist in the understanding, preservation and development of Saint Lucia’s rich cultural resources.