An unbreakable bond between Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin
The Languages, Arts and Culture Festival came to a close last Friday after two weeks of exchanges, creative activities and meetings between schools across the Northern Islands. For this 5th edition, themed ‘UNIversality’, the pupils once again demonstrated the breadth of their artistic, cultural and creative talents, but above all the strength of the bond that unites Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy.
This year, the sister island has been particularly committed to the FLAC, going so far as to cover the travel costs for pupils from Saint Martin to Gustavia. This commitment was praised by all participants, as there were so many highlights across both territories, demonstrating that, beyond cultural and identity differences, living together remains a deeply rooted reality in the Northern Islands.
The closing evening took a slightly different format this year. The CCISM kindly made one of its rooms available, and the CTOS provided the meal, ensuring that this final gathering concluded in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Vice-Rector Harry Christophe and his teams acted as masters of ceremonies for the evening, which was attended by the Prefect of Saint Martin—who was delighted that a joint event could bring the two islands together, a fact rare enough to be highlighted—as well as Bernadette Davis, 2nd Vice-President of the Collectivité of Saint Martin, and Francius Matignon, Second Vice-President of the Collectivité of Saint-Barthélemy, who was accompanied by O Magras and Élise Magras. The former rekindled the audience’s love of the accordion, the instrument of choice for special occasions on the neighbouring island, and the latter, dressed in traditional attire, evoked memories of a bygone era, when the women of Saint-Barth harvested salt, made their headdresses (the calèche) from the latanier palm, sewed their dresses from fabrics brought back by the men on their voyages through the Caribbean, and baked the traditional gâteau blanchi.
By unanimous agreement among the participants, the FLAC is not merely a closing evening; it remains in people’s memories. Above all, we hope it will endure time and again in everyone’s minds but also in their actions, for universality and living well together are the finest things there are.
It is certainly the Vice-Chancellor’s wish to work towards ensuring the event’s long-term future, whilst also exhibiting the artistic creations throughout the year… a task that will fall to his successor. But he will undoubtedly have the support and energy of the incredible Evelyne Fleming, without whom this festival would not have the same flavour.
