Jounen Kwéyòl Annual celebration of Creole Culture
The celebration of Creole Heritage Month and Jounen Kwéyòl in St Lucia has developed, since its inception in 1984, into the biggest national cultural activity in St Lucia. Indeed, Jounen Kwéyòl has broader impact across communities and social sectors than any other calendar events in St. Lucia. This year 2017 marks 33 years since the declaration of Jounen Kwéyòl Entennassyonal( International Creole Day). This celebration is organized by the island’ s Folk Research Centre.
Every year, Jounen Kwéyòl is celebrated in Kwéyòl speaking countries to increase the awareness and pride among Kwéyòl speaking people of their rich cultural heritage; to encourage the practice of the Kwéyòl Language and Culture and to encourage solidarity among Kwéyòl speaking communities around the world.
Jounen Kwéyòl is celebrated in St. Lucia every year on the Sunday which is closest to International Creole Day( October 28th). It represents the grand climax of a national programme of cultural and education activities marking October as Creole Heritage Month; a month long programme of community-based activities and special national cultural activities.
On the day of the grand climax of Creole Heritage Month, Jounen Kwéyòl, the main activities usually take place in four communities that are specifically selected as host communities for the particular year. Thousands of people flock to these communities to participate in the celebration. Standard activities in each host community include a Creole Mass; a massive Creole Food and Drink Fair; an indoor exhibition of Creole technology, equipment and items depicting the folk life of the ancestors of modern day St Lucians; outdoor demonstrations of traditional technologies and other folk traditions; cultural performances throughout the day, and other community-specific spontaneous activities. On that day St. Lucians are also encouraged to speak the Kwéyòl language as much as possible.
www. stluciafolk. org
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