In Saint-Thomas, Bastille Day Takes Center Stage During French Heritage Week

Five days of music, dance, community gatherings, and cultural celebrations. Starting this Thursday, July 9, St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands) will come alive with the festivities surrounding French Heritage Week. This event honors the legacy of the French community in the U.S. Virgin Islands and will have special significance this year, as it also marks a new chapter in relations with Saint Barthélemy.
Indeed, on March 10, the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Albert Bryan Jr., and the president of the Territorial Council of Saint Barthélemy, Xavier Lédée, officially ratified the sister-island agreement between the two islands (JSB 1656). This agreement provides a framework for both parties to strengthen cultural, educational, athletic, and institutional exchanges.
Odile de Lyrot, former French consul to the Virgin Islands, played a major role in bringing the sister-city relationship between St. Thomas and St. Barth to fruition. She also helped revive French Heritage Week. As such, she understands the connections and implications of such an event. “When men from Saint Barth went to work in Saint Thomas, since the crossings were very long, they would stay for one or two years before returning for one or two months,” she explains. “That’s why you find people with the last names Magras, Aubin, Gréaux, and Querrard in Saint Thomas.”
The former French consul points out that people of Saint Barth descent are very present in Saint Thomas. “The Saint-Barth residents settled in the southern part of the island, in French Town,” she explains. “There, they’re mostly fishermen. In the northern part, they’re artisans, masons, carpenters, and electricians. When they first arrived, they were looked down upon. Today, the French descendants are almost like an aristocracy! And they make an effort to preserve traditions and culture. Unfortunately, they’re not quite as committed to continuing to teach their children French.”
During French Heritage Week, visitors will be able to browse artisanal products, but there will also—and most importantly—be a space dedicated to genealogy. “When people arrive, they’ll be able to write their name on a sticker from Saint-Thomas or Saint-Barth,” explains Odile de Lyrot. “We’ll try to get them interested in tracing their family history. ” There’s no doubt that the two representatives from the territorial council (Marie-Angèle Aubin and Fabrice Querrard, according to the Collectivité) will take part in the activity. So will the members of the New Création group and those of the Saint-Barth des amis de Saint-Thomas association, including Vianney Blanchard.
This Thursday, the event kicks off with music and, needless to say, a keen eye on the World Cup quarterfinal match between France and Morocco. The celebrations continue on Friday at “Sibs on the Mountain,” where musicians from Saint-Barthélemy will perform alongside the Obsession Band. On Saturday, “Sibs on the Mountain” will once again host an evening of music and dancing, this time featuring The When Band and the Jam Band. On Sunday, the festivities will move to Hull Bay for the kingfish fishing tournament organized by the Northside Sportsfishing Club. Finally, French Heritage Week will conclude on Tuesday, July 14, with a celebration of Bastille Day in Frenchtown. “The French-descended residents of the Virgin Islands have played a major role in fields such as agriculture, fishing, commerce, public service, education, and healthcare, while surnames and iconic landmarks still bear witness today to several centuries of French presence,” explains Gabrielle Querrard in the Saint-Thomas Source. Odile de Lyrot adds: “Everyone likes to have a past. It’s reassuring to know where we come from, where our roots lie. Especially in today’s world. When we know our roots, it becomes easier to look toward the future.”