A portion of the community of La Ressource, Dennery, turned into a sea of royal blue last Friday when the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) hosted the annual La Magéwit (La Marguerite Flower Festival) there.
The festival started with a church service at the St Michael’s Parish Church where the representatives from various La Magéwit groups performed songs and presented bidding prayers before the congregation.
In wishing attendees a joyous La Magéwit day Fr Ignatius Dominic-Savio Cétoute said his desire was to see Magéwit groups established in every community. He commended the principals and teachers who were encouraging student participation, noting that the La Magéwit festival was unique in its form to Saint Lucia.
Fr Cétoute went on to trace the history of the festival back to its patron Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun who lived in the 17th century.
The service ended with the recessional song by the Dennery group.
Among the congregation on October 17, were several dignitaries, including the Ambassador-Designate of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Her Excellency Leiff Liubliana Escalona Barrueta. The minister with responsibility for Culture Ernest Hilaire, Education Minister and MP for Dennery North Shawn Edward, and Agriculture Minister and MP for Dennery South Alfred Prospere were also present.
Following the church service, the various La Magéwit groups, which included several students, paraded through the community before making their way to the La Ressource Playing Field.
There, La Magéwit societies from across the island staged performances under the guidance of MC George Fish Alphonse.
The groups present came from Aux Lyon, Dennery, Derniere Riviere, Vieux Fort, and Laborie, as well as the Association Sainte Lucia/Territories Francais. The songs, accompanied by traditional dances, showered praise on the La Magéwit flower while taunting the rival flower festival — La Rose. The groups were led by their king and queen as they chanted “Viv La Magéwit” at the end of every performance.
