The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) is revitalizing Saint Lucia’s cherished annual Festival of Lights, maintaining key traditions despite a streamlined December festival calendar. This cultural celebration serves as dual homage to both National Day on December 13 and the official commencement of the Christmas season.
Historical significance underpins the festivities, as Saint Lucia’s National Day concurrently honors St. Lucy, the patron saint of light. The island’s nomenclature traces back to French sailors who allegedly shipwrecked on the feast day of Sainte Lucie.
While Communications Director Kendal John acknowledges this year’s reduced festival scale, the organization has strategically preserved the lantern competition and core illumination events. “We have retained some elements for Derek Walcott Square, such as carol singing, but we are hoping to bring carolling back as a full festival next year,” John disclosed to St. Lucia Times.
The lantern competition remains the festival’s centerpiece, demonstrating the artistic ingenuity of Saint Lucians across generations. The CDF facilitated this creative expression through comprehensive lantern-building workshops conducted in communities, educational institutions, and corporate environments.
These educational initiatives represent a deliberate conservation effort for the ancient tradition of lantern crafting, which incorporates both Christian and pre-Christian customs venerating Saint Lucia and the patron saint of light. Anthony Wilkie Jr, Senior Officer for Training, Promotion and Development at the CDF, emphasized: “We feel the importance of encouraging all sectors within our society to be part of our traditions and to learn the various skills that contribute to those elements which are our cultural practices.
For participants like Cassie Emmanuel, marketing officer at IBS Inc., the workshops provided inaugural hands-on experience. “It’s a fun experience, and it aligns perfectly with our corporate social responsibility, where we are looking forward to collaborating with the creative arts,” she noted.
The festival schedule features public lantern judging on December 6 at the National Cultural Centre, followed by the grand lantern parade on December 12. This procession will originate at Vigie Playing Field at 7 p.m., featuring the Royal Saint Lucia Police Band, masqueraders, drummers, steelpan performers, folk dancers, stilt walkers, and Papa Jab with his entourage.
The celebration culminates at William Peter Boulevard, transitioning into the Festival of Lights at Derek Walcott Square. The finale will incorporate a solo band, bamboo bursting, carol singing, traditional lighting ceremonies, and fireworks, collectively marking National Day’s arrival and inaugurating Saint Lucia’s Twelve Days of Christmas.