International Creole Day Celebrations to Focus on Youth and the Future of Kwéyòl

Castries, Saint Lucia. The Monsignor Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC), in collaboration with the Government of Saint Lucia and the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), will celebrate International Creole Day (Jounen Kwéyòl Entennasyonnal) on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, under the theme “Sélébwasyon Lanng Kwéyòl Pou Jennès” (A Celebration of the Kwéyòl Language for Youth).

The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the National Cultural Centre, Barnard Hill, Castries. This year's celebration will place young people at the centre of the programme, recognising their vital role in preserving and promoting Kwéyòl as a living language and an essential part of Saint Lucia's cultural identity.

International Creole Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the shared heritage of Creole-speaking communities and reaffirm the importance of safeguarding Creole languages. For Saint Lucia, the occasion serves as a reminder that preserving Kwéyòl requires not only recognising its historical and cultural significance but also ensuring that it remains relevant, accessible and widely used by younger generations.

In keeping with this year's youth-centred theme, the programme will provide a platform for young people to share their experiences of learning and using Kwéyòl, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges they encounter in engaging with the language.

Presentations will feature:

• Jason “Bachelor” Joseph
• Students from several primary and secondary schools

The cultural programme will include performances by:

• George “Fish” Alphonse
• Silver Shadow Dancers
• Manmay La Kay Folk Band
• L’Association Toe Lobie (French Guiana)
• Éclats D’Or du Gosier (Guadeloupe)
• The winner of the 2026 Chante Kwéyòl competition

The FRC, the Government of Saint Lucia and the CDF invite the general public to join in this celebration of Kwéyòl and support the continued efforts to encourage its appreciation and use among young people. The event is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend.