It began long before it started. The arrival of October 1st was a gentle reminder to the Maguerite Kingdom that the royal engagement would soon come and that the feasting should begin. And so it was that members of the royal court began making arrangements with designers; learning institutions organised rehearsal dates and times.
Shop owners dusted their merchandise and brought out every shade of blue or violet they could find to pay homage to the beloved flower. It wasn’t long before the city streets were bustling with activity as merchants displayed on shelves or in cubbies majestic creations which were once mere sheets of fabric.
On the feast day, October 17th celebrations took place in communities around the island – Vieux Fort would host the gwan fèt this year. All was in place. Word spread quickly throughout the land. Eggplant, magenta, violet, lavender, lilac and fifty shades in between as well as a variety of hues of blue along with the impeccable white beautified the celebrants. The elegant designs were nothing short of spectacular – they were breath-taking.
Hundreds of guests from as far north as Gros Islet to Anse la Raye congregated at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for what was without a doubt a glorious occasion. Their angelic voices rang out in sweet chorus as they joyfully sang “Jou-a wivé”, (The day is here), the opening rendition for the service. Gravity All Stars Band along with Minelle Delice and Madasear Rudolph, a student from the Anglican Primary School, ably sustained the timbre, creating a harmony that was both heard and felt. Reverend Father Michel Francis in his message encouraged the congregation to respect and celebrate each other’s differences with a view to building strong communities and ultimately a steadfast nation through a spirit of support and togetherness.
The melodic sounds of well-loved festival songs reverberated throughout the Lady of the Assumption Church in Vieux Fort in what was a splendid celebration of grace and sheer beauty. Youthful fervour coupled with a deep-seated passion for traditional culture passed on from generations before was evident as the school and adult groups led a parade from the church to the Vieux Fort Square.
“Lapli sé bagay ki twèt” translated to mean “The rain is treacherous”; so the older people say. That refrain must’ve been sung around the island for no sooner than the final prayers and blessings were given in Castries and the first school in Vieux Fort took to the stage to make their presentation, that the rains came; a light sprinkle at first then as a steady shower. The condensation only gave strong impetus to the musicians to let the music play – Minelle kept on singing, the band kept on playing and the Leon Hess Secondary School Band, who would have accompanied the students around the Derek Walcott Square, challenged the rain and played until the sun came out! Despite the “rain on the parade”, students made their way to their respective schools where they participated in their individual observances.
In Vieux Fort, the proverb “necessity is the mother of invention” sprang to life, sprinkled by the afternoon shower. The singers and dancers would not be silenced. The singing moved from centre stage to the gazebo in Independence Square. Then, as if in an act of surrender to the defiant chantès and chantwèls, the rain abated, giving way to the dramatic performances of the schools and adult groups who had come to celebrate.
In Soufriere, brilliant costumes mirrored the radiating sun. The marguerite society had come out in full regalia – governors general, kings, queens, princesses, princes, doctors, nurses, judges, lawyers – every strata of society had come to honour the majestic flower. Father Howard Will pronounced special blessings on the gathering in what was described as “an absolutely beautiful service”. Participating schools with rousing enthusiasm made presentations fit for a royal audience, spurred on by former principal of the Les Etangs Combined School, Mrs. Hermina St. Hill. Visitors and passers-by got a glimpse of members of the royal court as they paraded through Soufriere town after which participants returned to their schools to continue the celebrations.
When all was said and done; when the official ceremonies had ended; when the meetings and greetings were complete; the marguerite flower society with no reservation could proudly declare, “Gadé ki joli wa nou ni…gadé ki joli wen nou ni…