Bellevue:--- On Friday, November 11, 2011, an official-, as well as a grassroots people's ceremony was held to commemorate St.Maarten/St.Martin Day 2011.The official ceremony by both governments was the first to start and lasted no more than about 30 minutes.
Both ceremonies were held at the same venue, the Cole-bay/Bellevue frontier unity monument.
In addition, no more than about 30 minutes separated to the ceremonies.
However, there is where the similarities end as well.
The contrast could not be more obvious and glaring.
Whereas, the official ceremony was filled with the usual pomp and decorum, it was very distant, cold and totally not reflective of the sentiments of people of the island.
Apart from the laying of the wreath, there was not one word uttered.
As soon as that duty was performed, the large party seemed to be happy jump in the bus as quick as possible in order not to have to deal with the common man and woman.
I stark contrast, the grassroots celebration was clearly about grassroots St. Martin, their real life issues and about creating concrete steps to cement the indivisible oneness of the St. Martin people, which is the strength of their survival as a people.
During the event, that was aired live on La Voix 101.5 F.M. as well as on MSR-cablet.v, an umber of residents were handed out their cultural St .Martin ID cards.
Although not all those nominated for the card and had their cards made, were present, the following persons received their ID-cards, or are still to pick them up.
Mr. Kenrick BAPTISTE, Mrs. Barbara RICHARDSON-ALEXANDER (mother of MP, dr. RICHARDSON),Dwight BARRAN, Julien RICHARDSON (Baige), Jean Pierre MACCOW, Mary GUMBS, Felicita LEWIS, Andre PATRCK, Imran MACSOOD, Glen CARTY, Berryl LAKE, Marcel GUMBS, Father CHARLES,Mildred FLEMING-SUPERVILLE, Augustine LAKE (DJAirsupply), Catherine CARMONT (Diamond Kath), drs. Mark WILLIAMS.
After the ceremony, those present remained for a long time after, exchanged ideas and enjoyed having discussions about the future of the St.Martin people.
It was a very inspiring experience and many new bonds have been reinforced, while new ideas have been born.
Click here to view more photos of the St. Maarten Grassroots People "11-11-11" Celebration.
