Official calls for deeper exchanges with Saint Lucia

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Wu (吳志中) yesterday called for deeper cultural exchanges with Saint Lucia at a Jounen Kweyol event in Taipei.

Wu, representing Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), attended the celebration hosted by Saint Lucia’s embassy in Taiwan.

The event is part of the Caribbean nation’s efforts to preserve and pass on its rich cultural heritage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Saint Lucian Ambassador to Taiwan Robert Lewis, left, speaks at a Jounen Kweyol event in Taipei yesterday.

Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Wu at the event extended greetings to the government and people of Saint Lucia, saying he was impressed by the country’s distinctive cultural traditions and rich history showcased at Jounen Kweyol, also known as Creole Day.

Taiwan and Saint Lucia value multiculturalism, he added, expressing hope that the countries would build on their existing cooperation by expanding cultural exchanges through music, cuisine and festivals to foster mutual understanding and preserve their shared cultural heritage.

Saint Lucian Ambassador to Taiwan Robert Lewis greeted guests in Creole, thanking those who helped make the event possible.

Passing down Creole culture is vital to preserving Saint Lucia’s cultural heritage, he said.

Jounen Kweyol is held on the last Sunday of October in Saint Lucia to preserve and promote the nation’s traditional culture, language, music and dance.

The celebration showcases the island nation’s unique identity and rich cultural heritage, shaped by a blend of European colonial influences, African traditions and Indigenous Caribbean elements, the ministry said.