Saint Lucia observed its 39th anniversary of Independence on Feb. 22, with a full day of activities which commenced with the annual Independence Parade, which was this year held on the Vigie Playing Field.
The evening prior to the day’s events, the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Hon. Allen Chastanet, addressed the nation, calling on all citizens of the nation to reflect on whether they believed their own visions of independence had been attained over the years.
“Thirty-nine years ago, Sir John Compton raised his arms and proudly waved our Independence Declaration signalling Saint Lucia’s entry onto the world stage as an independent nation. Through the years since then, we have slowly adjusted to what this independence actually means and as we celebrate our 39th anniversary, it is important to examine how far we have come, where we are, and where we need to go,” he said. “We must ask ourselves whether we have attained our own vision of independence. It is true that we seized the right to determine our own destiny but until we can stand on our own, can we say that we are truly independent?”
The prime minister went on to comment on all the ways in which the citizenry can play their part in ensuring that the goal of independence is maintained.
“I urge you all, volunteer some of your time and energies to make a contribution to your community, to your country. No contribution is too small. We must nurture and guide the children of today and instil in them the right values which are critical to a properly functioning and equitable society.”
Wednesday, Feb. 21 was also host to National Colors day, the Independence Youth Expose and the Prime Ministers Grand Independence Ball.
Following the parade on Feb. 22, the National Youth Rally took place.
National Youth Council President Jeshurun Andrew took the opportunity to address the youth directly, reminding them that they make up part of the most valuable commodity to be found within any nation—that of their human resource.
“For this momentous occasion we have all convened at this location, and it gives us the perfect opportunity for us to put aside our differences and to amass all of our rich and diverse intellectual abilities that we have so been blessed with as a nation and make optimum use of that great resource the greatest resource that any nation could possess: its human resource and by greater extension, the youth.”
The Independence celebrations came to a close following the Independence Food Fair and the I Am Saint Lucia Extravaganza on Feb. 22.
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