PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Release)
Kwéyòl pou Chacom – annou manjé, dansé, chanté Kwéyòl!
In 2012 a career musician, tent leader and visionary leader, Gordon “Chacom” “Gene” Leon came up with a brilliant way to celebrate the Kwéyòl language of Saint Lucia. The National Kwéyòl Song Festival was born under the banner, “Annou manjé, dansé, chanté kwéyòl”.
After his death, the event continued in tribute to Chacom under the guidance of Caron Tobiere and underwent a change of name in 2020 to Chanté Kwéyòl, still encompassing the ideals that Chacom planted when he first began this event.
Chanté Kwéyòl has grown over the years, and as the event rolls into its tenth year, one of the dreams that Chacom had when he first introduced this event, may finally become a reality. From the name of the first event in 2012, “Annou manjé, dansé, chanté kwéyòl” one can deduce that this event was not only about music and songs. In fact, from its inception, the event also introduced the writing of the Kwéyòl language as a huge part of this song contest. The competition has always included a Kwéyòl writing component, with a separate award being given to the winner of a Written Piece – where participants of the song competition were encouraged to submit their written song, and an incentive given for the Best Written Piece.
As Chanté Kwéyòl enters year 10, the event will finally become a mini-festival – realizing one of Chacom’s dreams for the event. 2022 will see the event host the following as part of what is hoped will become a mini festival dubbed Kwéyòl pou Chacom to be launched in celebration of Francophonie Day observed annually on March 20:
An ti Pawòl Kwéyòl A spoken word competition that took place during the Nobel Laureate Festival and launched the 2022 Kwéyòl pou Chacom and was won by exciting budding poet, Callum James with a piece called “Famn”.
Apwan ékwi Kwéyòl The annual Kwéyòl writing workshop. This year 2 workshops will be hosted: on Saturday March 19 in Castries at the Blue Coral Mall from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm and on Saturday March 26 for the first time in Vieux Fort from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.
A Kwéyòl Lecture This inaugural lecture will be delivered by Dr Travis Weekes as he examines the Kwéyòl Language.
Chante Kwéyòl The annual National Kwéyòl Song Competition scheduled for April 23.
As this innovative Festival unfolds, March 2022 promises to be an exciting month celebrating the indigenous language of Saint Lucia, it’s traditions, it’s people and culture in memory of the Late Gordon Leon.
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For further information contact: Caron Tobiere – (758) 722 3683
