The final curtain call was taken at the National Cultural Centre, bringing an end to the 2017 National Arts Festival (NAF). The festival aims to sustain the invaluable role of the arts in the development of Saint Lucia.

The 2017 activities began with an April 21 community festival in Micoud. The free event was open to artistes from Praslin in the north, to Desruisseaux in the south, who presented work ranging from paintings and drawings to sculptures, craft, photography, film, fashion and floral designs for a three-day visual arts exhibition. Visitors were also invited to create their own designs. The event concluded with two nights of performance concerts during which burgeoning artists and household names entertained exuberant audiences.

On April 28, poets and lovers of the arts demonstrated their support for the literary arts during Poetry Night Live, which featured the illustrious dramatist and poet, Kendel Hippolyte. He was accompanied by Lambert “Skai” Soomer and Joshua Soomer (percussionists) as well as Christine “Chrissy” Charlemagne (vocalist).  Their dynamic and stimulating portrayals were enthusiastically received. The audience was also treated to performances from Perlina Murray, Kerr Glasgow, Leslie “Ras Isley” Nelson and Swithin Cornelle from the Writers’ Forum, as well as Glenn Charlery, Ethan Fletcher, Kyvon Edwin and Angelica O’Donoghue from Headphunk.

On April 29 and 30, “Requiem for a Bad John,” a play by Katherine Atkinson was executed with perfection by members of YouthSPAC under the direction of Kentillia Louis. The theatrical performance is set in a neglected inner city yard in Saint Lucia and centers on a girl (Christal Valcin) at odds with her ambitions to leave the yard and her devotion to her grandmother (Steffi Ann St. Clair).  Every character including ‘Bad John’ (Kidel Sonny), ‘Tall Boy’ (Ricardo Placide), ‘Red Man’ (David McLennon) and ‘Short Pants’ (Anthony Wilkie), helps tell the tale of how members of the community and their decisions ultimately make or break the community spirit.

The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) thanks all those whose support made this year’s National Arts Festival the success that it was. Particular mention needs to be made of the media whose support ensures that the public remains informed of activities that promote Saint Lucian arts and culture.

The annual arts festival usually runs from February to May, with the aim to facilitate the showcasing of Saint Lucian art and culture, with a strong emphasis on original work. An added aim of the festival is to provide artists with economic and networking opportunities as they produce and display their work, and to encourage the creative arts as an essential element in the island’s productive and social fabric.