As part of Arts and Heritage Month, an “edu-tainment” road show organized by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) visited the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School.

The road show featured the work of Cultural Icon, Joseph Rameau Poleon.

The CDF engaged a group of budding arts and cultural enthusiasts, and students were not only introduced to the folk hero but they were exposed to the link between today’s popular music and traditional songs.

CDF Events and Production Director, Drenia Frederick said: “Overall it has been well received. The students actually have to listen, and how they recall all of those details and give the specific information, where he was born, his name, his parents’ names, is encouraging.”

A 20 minute presentation, which includes music, song, narrative and dance, documenting the life of Rameau and his contribution to the arts were made to students throughout the various schools on the island.

The schedule included the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, the Bonne Terre Preparatory School, and the Montessori Centre. The teachers and students alike gave some insight into their experience.

Drama Teacher at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, Roseanne Alexander said, “Today our theatre arts students observed a theatrical production dance and drama and musical which focused on the history and contribution that cultural icon Rameau Poleon has made to Saint Lucia. And so it was an experience for them to learn about their country and themselves and to see contemporary as well as traditional music and elements within the cultural forms that they have been studying.”

Form 4 student, Neeva Fanus, said she was enlightened by the experience. “I didn’t expect to like it. I didn’t even know there were more than one cultural form of that kind of music.”

Form 4 student Kayla Achille shared her experience. “While we gravitate more toward American music and the Dennery kuduro, the folk music is really nice and the dances are better in my opinion. I really enjoyed it.”

The Cultural Icon Series is a national event that honours persons who have left an indelible mark on the artistic and cultural landscape of Saint Lucia. In previous years, icons who have been recognized include: Virginia Alexander (2015), Hon. Charles Cadet (2016), Garth St. Omer (2017).