The Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC) is set to host a national public dialogue focused on the Kwéyòl language to commemorate International Creole Day, known as Jounen Kwéyòl Entannasyonnal. This engaging event, titled “Fèt Lanng Kwéyòl,” will occur at the National Cultural Centre on Tuesday, October 28, starting at 9:30 AM.
Among the speakers will be founding members of the national Kwéyòl Movement, including Dame Pearlette Louisy and Msgr. Patrick Anthony. Additionally, a team of expert facilitators will guide participants through interactive sessions that delve into the basics of the Kwéyòl writing system.
This public conversation promises to be an immersive cultural experience, featuring Creole music, a mini exhibition, and the sale of educational materials related to the Kwéyòl language. The event will also welcome representatives from Creole-speaking communities in Cayenne and Grenada, who are participating in the national Jounen Kwéyòl celebrations.
The celebrations honor three notable advocates for the Kwéyòl language from Saint Lucia: Mrs. Armelle Mathurin of Mon Repos, a founding member of the Mouvman Kwéyòl Sent Lisi; Dr. Hazel Simmonds Mac Donald, a regional educator and researcher specializing in Kwéyòl language acquisition; and Mr. Leonard Robinson, a multi-language expert and proponent for the use of Kwéyòl in schools throughout Saint Lucia.
A variety of organizations, including national agencies and private sector partners, are collaborating with the FRC to facilitate this event. Notable collaborators include the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), the Saint Lucia National Commission for UNESCO, the Laborie Credit Union, and Calabash Television.
International Creole Day, officially recognized by UNESCO in 1983, is celebrated annually by Creole-speaking populations worldwide. In the Caribbean, events are organized in nations such as the Commonwealth of Dominica, Saint Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Haiti, and Cayenne. This observance serves as a platform for discussions and advocacy on the cultural, economic, and political importance of Creole languages.
Saint Lucia will celebrate Jounen Kwéyòl 2025 under the theme “Kwéyòl Sé Fòs Nou,” emphasizing the strength and resilience of the Kwéyòl language and its speakers.
