With mass crowd events prohibited as per COVID-19 protocols, the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) has had to re-conceptualize the December Festivals.

The festivals traditionally ushered in the Christmas season each year on Dec. 12, and created a celebratory mood for National Day (Dec. 13.)

This year, using the concept “Christmas Saint Lucian Style”, and the theme “Hope, Joy and Merriment”, organizers are producing a video showcase that is scheduled to air on Christmas Eve.

Mrs. Raymona Henry-Wynn, Executive Director of the Cultural Development Foundation, said: “The focus is to spur a national spirit that has been dampened by COVID-19. As an organization there is need for us to bring hope, joy and that feeling of Christmas that we have grown accustomed to. We also want to create the platform for our artistic community to create despite what’s happening around them.”

The Festival of Lights and Renewal has had to be put off due to national protocols. The event usually includes the Parade of Lanterns though the streets of Castries, accompanied by a Christmas show and the illumination of the lights in the Derek Walcott Square in Central Castries.

Mrs Henry Wynn said while the cultural event will not be held this year, the Castries Constituency Council will turn on the lights at the Derek Walcott Square and Serenity Park on Dec. 12.