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St Lucia celebrates 27 years of Independence
Written by : Darnell Cadette
Location : London
Posted : Feb 7, 2006 : 12:50:00 AM |
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27 years of Independence - 22nd February 1979 – 2006
St Lucia’s first known inhabitants were the Arawak Indians, believed to have come from South America. Later on the Caribs, being the stronger of the two tribes, gradually took over and replaced the Arawaks on the island.
During the early pioneering years of the Caribbean as we now know it, Europeans, initially from Spain, were said to have landed on St Lucia around 1492. The Dutch, English and French followed in the 17th century and colonised the island for over two hundred years.
Throughout its history St Lucia changed hands often, bouncing back and forth between the French and English empires in the 17th and early 18th century as many as 14 times. In 1814, the English finally gained permanent possession, and granted the island self-government in 1967. St Lucia gained independence from Britain on 22nd February 1979. The official language in St Lucia is now English, although a French-based patois is commonly spoken.
St Lucia boasts two of the world’s great and distinguished individuals: Sir Arthur Lewis (1915 – 1991) and Derek Walcott. Through them, St. Lucia has achieved something many greater nations have not: each man has received a Nobel Prize (Lewis for Economics in 1979 and Walcott for Literature in 1992).
In the UK, many of the younger generation of St Lucian parentage continue to excel in various fields. These include sports, radio and television, business, music, law and several other professional and academic disciplines. Cases in point are well known names such as Trevor Nelson MBE, (music, radio and television presenter), Brenda Emmanus (BBC radio and presenter), Leee John (singer/songwriter), Les Ferdinand (footballer), John Regis (athlete & television commentator), Denis Resembert (chef and entrepreneur), Victor Romero-Evans (actor) and Colin McMillan (former World Boxing Champion); the list could go on. They have all gained substantial recognition both at national and international level in their chosen profession. They also continue to act as excellent role models for our present and future generations.
St Lucians in the UK have also formed their own charitable association to help and assist their community, both in the UK and in St Lucia. The Unity of UK St Lucian Associations (Unity) was established as a direct result of groups sharing a common purpose coming together to achieve greater unity, and simultaneously raising funds for charitable and needy causes in St Lucia.
Unity of UK St Lucians will celebrate St Lucian Independence with a 27th Anniversary dance on Saturday 18 February at the Stratford Rex. For more info vist www.socanews.com/events/2006/february/180206a.shtml |
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