Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2018 | Page 568

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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