The third annual Saint Lucia Day celebration is expected to bring together hundreds of people in New York on Saturday. Organisers are building on what has become a major event for the diaspora, mixing traditional heritage with modern Saint Lucian culture.
The celebration will be held at Saint Lucia House on East 49th Street in Brooklyn, New York, from 12 pm to 9 pm.
The Consulate General of Saint Lucia in New York and the Saint Lucia House Foundation are hosting the event, which has become an important summer fixture for the Saint Lucian community and its supporters.
Organisers say the event has quickly become a major cultural gathering, drawing hundreds each year. This year, the celebration will offer a full day of entertainment, food and activities for all ages.
In an interview with St Lucia Times, Consul General Jeremiah Hyacinth said the event means more than just a cultural gathering. “Celebrating Saint Lucia Day in New York is about much more than gathering for a cultural event; it is about reaffirming our identity and strengthening our sense of belonging,” he said.
He pointed out that the celebration is especially important for Saint Lucians who feel distant from their roots, especially younger people in the diaspora.
Guests can look forward to live music, cultural displays, games, and a variety of food and local products. Performers will include Gozilay, Rootsie, Ras Yayah, the Saint Lucia American La Rose and Solo Group, and the Saint Lucia Folklore Organisation, among others.
Traditional activities like La Rose presentations and folklore performances are still at the heart of the event, but Hyacinth said it also welcomes modern influences. He noted that “Saint Lucia Day continues to evolve, but its foundation remains the same; celebrating our people, our culture, and our national pride”.
The Consul General also spoke about the important role the diaspora plays in Saint Lucia’s development. He called overseas Saint Lucians a vital resource, saying “our diaspora is one of Saint Lucia’s greatest assets”.
Hyacinth mentioned opportunities to contribute, such as investment, mentorship, and sharing knowledge, saying there is “a wealth of professional expertise, entrepreneurial experience, investment potential and global networks that can support Saint Lucia’s growth”.
He said that building the nation is a team effort, adding that “every Saint Lucian abroad has something valuable to offer” and that progress is “a shared responsibility”.
Saint Lucian attendees are encouraged to wear the national colours.
The Consulate General and the Saint Lucia House Foundation invite all Saint Lucians, the wider Caribbean community, and friends of the island to join the event and take part in this growing New York tradition.
