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Like every year, the month of November is one of the busiest. Because of the opening of the tourist season, of course, but also and above all because several unmissable events are grouped together there. The Saint-Barth Gourmet Festival, for example, but also the Piteå Day. An event born from the twinning between the small Swedish town of Piteå with the island of Saint-Barthélemy, in 1978, and which marks, every year, the celebration of this transatlantic and historic union. Also, from this Friday and until On Sunday evening, many activities will be organized by the Saint-Barth Association of Friends of Sweden (Asbas, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary) and the Territorial Community.
"The twinning continues to strengthen with Sweden," says Nils Dufau, president of Asbas. It is illustrated in particular by the links that exist with the Association of Friends of Saint-Barth based in Stockholm, but also and always with Piteñaring. " Relations that needed to be strengthened after the Covid health crisis which somewhat strained the links. This is all the more so since, like Saint-Barthélemy, which changed its governance within the territorial community in 2022, the city of Pitesti has elected a new mayor: Patric Putte Lundström. A councillor who will be present in Saint-Barth in 2026, like other representatives of Sweden, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the twinning. In the same way, the association of friends of Saint-Barth will celebrate its twentieth anniversary in 2026. A pivotal year, therefore. "Before, a delegation came every year but with today's airfares it has become impossible," regrets Nils Dufau. An absence which, this year, should not harm the festivities, which will be numerous as part of this 46th Piteå Day.
In reality, the activities related to the twinning celebrations began last Saturday, November 2, with a Nordic music, dance and singing workshop. This was led by music teacher Ombeline Collin and the Swedish quartet Femti Fem, invited by the organizers. But the best is yet to come.
It all started yesterday evening, Friday, with a concert organized in the Anglican church to open Piteä Day. A concert given by the Swedish quartet Femti Fem which, as its name indicates, is made up of four musicians. Nothing better than a musical entrance to set the pace for the event.
Saint-Barth Wahoo Piteå Day
The sixth edition of the trolling competition, the Wahoo Piteä Day, will take place on Sunday, November 10, after a briefing of the competitors the day before, at 6 p.m. The start will be open ("Open") on Sunday morning with a deadline for returning to the port set at 4 p.m.
The public is invited from 2 p.m. to the arrival of the competition boats at the dock in front of the Wall House.
" This event aims to bring together talented fishermen and boaters who are passionate about this water sport for their entertainment,” explains Daniel Magras, organizer.
Practical Information:
– Registration forms can be collected from the three chandlery stores, Ship St Barth Marine in Gustavia and Ouanalao and Akastiyage in Lorient.
The Piteå Day program
- Saturday
• 11am: Ecumenical ceremony at the Swedish cemetery in Public.
• 3pm: Ti-Mouns race (children's race starting from the Saint-Jean stadium).
• 8pm: Pasta party on the forecourt of the Wall House territorial museum in Gustavia. A meeting reserved for runners, signallers and organizers of the
Gustavialoppet.
- Sunday
• 6am: Start of the bottom fishing competition (return before 2pm)
• 6am: start of the walk for all (distance: 8 km)
• 6:15am: start of the Gustavialoppet (distance: 10 km) and the acclimatization race (distance: 5 km). The race will start at the Saint-Jean stadium. The runners will complete a first loop in Saint-Jean before heading to Gustavia via La Tourmente. Participants in the Gustavialoppet will complete two laps while those in the acclimatization race will only complete one. The finish will be in front of the Wall House where a snack will be served to all participants. After the awards ceremony, shuttles will take the runners back to the stadium. The last runners are scheduled to finish around 8:15 a.m.
• 9 to 10am: Presentation of trophies.
• 10am: Reading workshop at the Swedish House (located under the Gustavia lighthouse, in the Gustaf III space) for children aged 5 to 10. Lisa Beronius Magras will read the tale of Emil i Lönneberga. A Swedish snack will be served. (Reservations required at contact@stbarth-heritage.org)
• 3pm: Opening of the refreshment bar/snacks on the forecourt of the Wall House
• 3:30pm: reception offered by the Collectivité.
• 4 p.m.: Nordic music concert by the Femti Fem quartet in the Anglican church, accompanied by Om’violin. Concert dedicated to the ti-mouns and their families. With in the first part an end-of-course concert by Om’violin students and in the second part a concert and folk ball entertainment by the Femti Fem and the Gongonnes (and Gongons).
• 4:30 p.m.: opening of the sale of cakes and sweets.
• 5 p.m.: Bons Chœurs choir accompanied by Femti Fem to perform the twinning anthems.
• 5:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: official speeches and award ceremony for the ti-mouns race.
• 6 p.m.: opening of meal sales.
• 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: award ceremony for the bottom fishing and trolling competitions as well as the chess tournament.
• 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Romantic concert.
• 10 p.m. to midnight: musical finale with DJ Miss Leila and DJ Ice T.
