October 29th 2011
YOUTH UNITE FOR MASSIVE FESTIVAL

If ever there was doubt about the interest of our nation’s youth in their own positive development, then the United Workers Party’s Youth Festival on Sunday, put that notion to rest. Thousands of young yellow-clad Saint Lucians turned up at Saaman’s Park for the first festival of its kind. Billed as a platform for underscoring the importance of youth in our Nation’s development, the United Youth Festival left the venue bursting at its seams, as young Saint Lucians remained glued to, motivational speeches by young leaders and role models, as well as inspirational speeches by young Saint Lucian heroes.
This event was a good indication of the plethora of unearthed talent among our Nation’s youth: from an awe-inspiring violinist, rapper, vocalist and dancers, to a pair of emotionally grounding poets, whose lyrics hit a chord or two with the audience.
The United Workers Party Government believes that the United Youth Festival reaffirmed their dedication to the development of youth through the necessary provision of avenues for creative expression and professional growth.
For his part, Prime Minister Stephenson King assured the youth that the United Workers Party Government would remain dedicated to transforming our society through youth empowerment and engagement. As showers of blessings fell, the youth present remained fixed to the stage, chanting the Prime Minster’s official number—a clear demonstration of the respect, appreciation and love for their leader. Mr King promised to continue to support initiatives Dame Sessene Descartes Endowment for the arts. With 2011 being the International Year of the Youth, the United Workers Party Government has already signalled their focus of youth via the introduction of a National Youth Corps programme which is designed to by harness the ingenuity, solidarity, passion and creativity of our youth within a broader framework and philosophy of self development and service to community and country. The Government has also spearheaded programs like the Second Chance Opportunities for Youth at Risk and the Empowerment of Youth through ICTs.

The United Youth Festival ended with stellar performances by the DYP, Teddyson John and Mr Pringles. While regional songstress Etana wowed the audience with her hour-long performance of internationally chart-topping singles. Judging only by the reaction to his introduction on stage, Tarus Riley was set for a youthful Saint Lucian welcome he won’t soon forget. The Jamaican crooner’s reputation as a promoter to love, unity and putting an end to all forms of abuse and violence was full throttle as he performed hit after hit, dubbing the night an “evening of love.”

Saint Lucia’s internationally renowned opera singer, Blaize Pascal, sounded the end of the event, with the lights turned down and thousands of battery powered torches held high by his waving audience. The United Youth Festival’s success had then set the bar for the United Workers Party Government’s second instalment of the initiative.

Oswald Augustin
First Vice Chairman.

Discuss Story