La Magewit Festival Kept Alive By The Next Generation

Wednesday October 17 was observed here as “Fet La Magewit”. The lively celebration of the annual festival, also known as the Marguerite Flower Festival or Feast of St Marguerite Alacoque, was held this year in the southern town of Vieux Fort. The event was organised by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) and the Folk Research Center (FRC) in collaboration with Events Saint Lucia and the Vieux Fort Town Council. The involvement of many schools from the south of the island this year added to the vibrancy of the event. It also gave organisers hope that the culture is being successfully transferred to the next generation. Wednesday’s event began with a church service at the Lady of the Assumption Church from 10 a.m. This was followed by a parade of the various groups through the town of Vieux Fort as spectators lined the streets to take in the spectacle. The parade culminated at Independence Square, for the Gwan Fet La Magewit with the participation of schools from the south of the island as well as various groups. The schools who took to the stage with performances in song and dance were the Laborie combined, Ti Rocher Combined and the Vieux Fort...