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In the ocean of diversity, every drop counts. Such is the theme, evocative to say the least, of the fourth edition of the Languages, Arts and Cultures Festival. As in 2024, Saint-Barthélemy was honored with the opening ceremony on Monday May 12. For the event, nearly 400 schoolchildren and college students from Saint-Barth and Saint-Martin gathered in the Transat Paprec finish village on the Quai du Général de Gaulle in Gustavia. And it was in a joyful and vibrant atmosphere that the event got underway.
As the boat arrived from Saint-Martin, pupils from the Gustavia school group and the Mireille Choisy middle school welcomed their fellow students to the sound of “Tan ki saw tan”. Songs, drums and costumes lent a warm, festive tone to this eagerly-awaited moment. The newly arrived children from Saint-Martin were enveloped in this musical energy, visibly touched by the welcome they received.
Singing, dancing and sharing
Shy smiles, curious looks, but above all a lot of joy shared between students from both islands. The day got off to a convivial start. The children's voices were soon heard singing the Saint-Barthélemy anthem, followed by verses of the national anthem sung by all the pupils. In a joyful and diligent atmosphere, the musical performances followed one another: traditional songs, creations around the sea, and emotional moments such as “Ti kano” or “Ojala que llueva café”. Costume dances, such as “Barractopus” and “Le Fort Carl entre espace et mer”, also set the pace for the morning. Each performance highlighted the work carried out in class, combining creativity, precision and the desire to share. Gathered around a single project, the children took advantage of this exceptional day to discover each other's cultural expressions, showcase their talent and, above all, experience a powerful collective moment. They were then able to discover the forum for education in sustainable development.
“I'd like to share my culture with the children of Saint-Barth”.
Throughout the morning, students hosted various stands set up in the village, focusing on the themes of nature and the environment. At the stand dedicated to the sea, students from collège Mireille Choisy unveiled puppets made from garbage collected on Grand Fond beach. I'm proud of our project,” confided one of the 3rd year eco-delegates. It's important for us to protect the planet and share this commitment.”
A little further on, the eco-delegates from Collège du Mont-des-Accords in Saint-Martin are also present, happy to have been able to make the trip despite an eventful crossing. “It was pitching, we were soaking wet, and most of us got sick at sea... but we couldn't wait to get there!” they recount, laughing. Pupils from the Hervé Williams elementary school on Saint-Martin presented a trilingual, connected Creole garden. Very proud of their work, they said they were delighted to be in Saint-Barthélemy to show it off. However, one of the participants confessed: “I was scared during the crossing, it was really the least pleasant moment.” Before smiling: “But I really like the atmosphere here, and I'd like to share my culture with the children of Saint-Barth.” She hopes to be able to exchange ideas with them, while confiding that she would also like “them to accept to mix”. For their part, CM1-CM2 pupils from Saint-Barthélemy also participated with gusto. In partnership with ATE (Agence territoriale de l'environnement), they manned a stand dedicated to marine air. Highly involved, they explained their interest in preserving the marine environment and the pride they take in sharing their work.
“Maintain this dynamic of exchange”.
Workshops, exhibitions, events organized by the SNSM (Société nationale de sauvetage en mer) and meetings with the skippers of the Transat Paprec... The opening of the Festival was punctuated by a host of activities. Under the watchful eye of teachers and school principals, who are keen to involve children in “careful observation of their environment”. In particular, through projects involving the sea and the local ecosystem. For Mariette Dino, administrative manager at the Education Department for Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin, the event was an opportunity to strengthen educational cooperation between the two islands: “We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Collectivité de Saint-Barthélemy, without whom this festival would not have been possible.” A sentiment shared by Francius Matignon, territorial councillor and chairman of the School Affairs Committee: “This is already the fourth edition, and the project is now part of the school calendar. In Saint-Barth, we're determined to maintain this dynamic of exchange. It's essential to create an emulation between the two territories, whether it's around the very varied languages on Saint-Martin or culture, particularly the local heritage.” This year's theme, “The Sea and the Ocean”, was chosen by the Vice-Rectorat in direct connection with the arrival of the Transat Paprec in Saint-Barthélemy. The subject was worked on in the schools from September onwards, and was a real hit with the students. In all, almost 450 people, adults and children alike, took part in the day's events, which had been carefully prepared since the start of the school year. Stéphanie Brouwers, in charge of education for sustainable development in primary and secondary schools in the northern islands, explains: “We wanted to make this launch a real highlight. Classes from Saint-Martin came to present their sustainable development projects. And on Thursday (today), it will be Saint-Martin's turn to welcome students from Saint-Barth for their forum.” She concludes enthusiastically: “It's essential to bring students together. These exchanges enable them to share their knowledge and inspire each other. That's what the forum is all about: circulating ideas, promoting initiatives and creating links between two geographically close but very different territories.”
