Scores of Saint Lucian nationals as well as visitors, on Friday December 12th, flocked the Derek Walcott Square for the annual Festival of Light ceremony. The pre-national day celebration, spearheaded by the Cultural Development Foundation is one of the more popular activities on the national calendar of events to usher in Saint Lucia’s Day or National Day on December 13th.
The day coincides with the feast day of Saint Lucy of Syracuse, the patron saint of Saint Lucia. The celebration of the feast of Saint Lucy is tied with the celebration of “light” as the name “Lucy” means “light” in Latin. December 13th is set aside to celebrate “all things Saint Lucian”. The parade of lanterns, switching on of lights and the fireworks display, all add to the splendour on the night to symbolize renewal and rebirth.
The audience was treated to performances by the Lapo Kabwit Drummers, stick fighters, traditional dancers, fire eaters, New Stars dancers, Barbara Cadet, Deredee Williams, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Band, Invader, Nicole David and Ricky T, among others. Following the ceremonious switching on of the lights and fireworks, Gwan Mouvman Band accompanied by masqueraders led a procession to the Castries Waterfront, for the releasing of floating lanterns.
The Festival of Light is one of three festivals which takes place during the month of December, capturing the artistic talent of Saint Lucians; the other two being, the Festival of Lanterns, which took place at the National Cultural Centre on December 6th and the Festival of Carols on December 7th.
The results from the Lantern Competition are highlighted as follows:
| CATEGORY | PLACE | PARTICIPANT | LANTERN TITLE |
| 17 YEARS & UNDER | |||
| National | 1st | Ciceron RC Combined School | Jazz Vibes: Food for the Soul |
| 2nd | Darlia Christal Neptune | Tribute to Cathedral Windows | |
| 3rd | Amy & Shania St. Pierre | Pan – Missing in Action | |
| Traditional | 1st | Amy & Shania St. Pierre | Butterflies are Beautiful |
| 2nd | Jeremiah Germain | Traditional Truck | |
| 3rd | Millet Primary School | Our Village | |
| Contemporary/Modern | 1st | Livi Pierre | Noah’s Ark |
| 2nd | Aaron Mc Lennon | A Star of Peace & Hope | |
| 3rd | Allister Mitchell | Rabbit Eating Carrot | |
| 18 YEARS & OVER | |||
| National | 1st | Joy Grant | Celebrating National Day |
| 2nd | Kimbaly Francis | The Pitons | |
| 3rd | Lesley Crane Mitchell – UWI Open Campus | Oriens Ex Occidente Lux (A Light Rising from the West) | |
| Traditional | 1st | Sontouch Valcin | Creole Chattel Home |
| 2nd | Joy Grant | Chant a Prayer a Day | |
| 3rd | Kurt Peter | Cooking for the World | |
| Contemporary/Modern | 1st | Vivian du Boulay | Novelty Cottage Bird House |
| 2nd | Perry Martial | Royal Carousel | |
| 3rd | Alcina Nolley | St. Lucia Skies | |
| MOST OUTSTANDING LANTERN | |||
| 1st | Vivian du Boulay | Novelty Cottage Bird House | |
Performances from Shayne Ross, Anne Marie Headley, Cecilian Rays, Just Us Choir, Heart & Soul, the Saint Joseph the Worker Church Youth Choir, Shirley Ann Cyril Mayers, Vision, the Charles Cadet Youth Orchestra and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Band all contributed to a spirit-filled atmosphere at this year’s Festival of Carols.
The Cultural Development Foundation especially thanks the following whose support made the December Festivals a success: Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, the Saint Lucia Fire Service, Saint Lucia Air and Seaport Authority, the Marine Police Unit, Eastern Caribbean Group of Companies, Michel’s Electrical & Building Contractors Ltd, Windward Islands packaging Co. Ltd, Saint Lucia Distillers Ltd, Windward and Leeward Brewery Ltd, Guardsman Saint Lucia Ltd, Calabash TV, Daher Broadcasting Service, Choice TV, Radio Caribbean International, National Television Network and wVent.