December Festivals start on a bright note

The traditional Lantern Competition took place this past Saturday, December 5^th at the National Cultural Centre.  Pre-judging for the competition commenced from 12:30 p.m. allowing the four member judging panel an opportunity to assess participants’ craftsmanship, including the quality of finish.  Lantern-making workshops were conducted in Laborie, Desruisseaux, District 4, Castries and Boys’ Training Centre and were open to persons interested in honing their skills in the art form and keeping the tradition alive. 

On Sunday December 6^th, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries was the venue for the Festival of Carols.  Justus, Michael Robinson, Heart & Soul, Shirley-Ann Cyril Mayers along with Vision, the Ave Maria Primary School Choir and Irvin “Ace” Loctor, were among those who raised their voices in heavenly chorus.  The event held under the distinguished patronage of Her Excellency Governor General of Saint Lucia, Dame Pearlette Louisy is scheduled for rebroadcast on the National Television Network (NTN) – LIME 37, FLOW 49 and SPECTRA 2, on Monday December 14^th at 12:00 noon and again at 8:00 p.m. 

On Friday December 11^th, the highly anticipated Festival of Light will take place at the Derek Walcott Square from 7:30 p.m. The Christmas themed production will feature some of the best of Saint Lucia’s performers in music and dance.  The night’s festivities will commence with a parade of lanterns, from the Lantern Competition on December 5^th.  Lantern-bearers will be accompanied by dancers, drummers, fire-eaters and stilt walkers who will parade from the Castries City Hall on Peynier Street.  They will head down Micoud Street turn left unto Bourbon Street and in to the Derek Walcott Square, where the results of the Lantern Competition will be announced later during the night’s ceremony.

Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, the Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony along with Saint Lucia’s 2015 Carnival Queen Yvana David will be on hand for the conventional “switching on of the lights” which will precede the celebratory fireworks display.