The Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC) is set to host a national public conversation focused on the Kwéyòl language in honor of International Creole Day, also known as Jounen Kwéyòl Entannasyonnal. This event, titled “Fèt Lanng Kwéyòl,” will take place at the National Cultural Centre on Tuesday, October 28, starting at 9:30 AM.
During the event, founding members of the national Kwéyòl Movement, including Dame Pearlette Louisy and Msgr. Patrick Anthony, will deliver presentations. Additionally, expert facilitators will conduct interactive sessions to educate attendees about the Kwéyòl writing system.
The public conversation promises to be a rich cultural experience, featuring Creole music, a mini-exhibition, and the sale of resource materials related to the Kwéyòl language. Representatives from Creole-speaking communities in Cayenne and Grenada are also expected to participate in the discussions as part of the celebrations.
This year”s events are dedicated to the memory of three notable advocates for the Kwéyòl language: Mrs. Armelle Mathurin, a founding member of the Mouvman Kwéyòl Sent Lisi, Dr. Hazel Simmonds Mac Donald, a regional educator and researcher on Kwéyòl language acquisition, and Mr. Leonard Robinson, a multi-language specialist who championed the use of Kwéyòl in Saint Lucian schools.
The FRC has partnered with various organizations, including the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), the Saint Lucia National Commission for UNESCO, the Laborie Credit Union, and Calabash Television, to support the event.
October 28 has been recognized by UNESCO since 1983 as International Creole Day, celebrated annually by Creole-speaking populations worldwide. In the Caribbean, countries such as Dominica, Saint Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Haiti, and Cayenne engage in various activities to mark this occasion. The observance serves as an opportunity for discussions on the cultural, economic, and political significance of Creole languages.
Saint Lucia will celebrate Jounen Kwéyòl 2025 under the theme “Kwéyòl Sé Fòs Nou.”
