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For the past eight years, Roger Richter has been champing at the bit. As president of the Stockholm-based association St. Barthélemysällskapet (“The Saint Barthélemy Society”), he was supposed to come to Saint Barth in 2020 to take part in the festivities organized as part of the sister-city partnership with the municipality of Piteå. But then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and he’s been waiting ever since. “When we arrived yesterday (Monday, November 2), we saw lots of runners along the roads,” says Roger Richter happily. “We” because, for this 49th edition of the twinning celebrations, a delegation of thirteen Swedes is on the island. “Not all of them are from the association,” Roger Richter explains. “We wanted to bring people who aren’t necessarily familiar with the shared history of Saint-Barthélemy and Sweden.” It’s a discovery that delights the newcomers.
The flip side is that they’re bombarding the members of the St. Barthélemysällskapet with questions! “They all want to know everything,” the president says with a smile. “About why Sweden was here, how it all worked, slavery… They’re amazed to discover this history.” This curiosity also delights the president of the Saint-Barth Association of Friends of Sweden (Asbas), Nils Dufau. “They’re surprised by the Swedish landmarks they see on the island, but also by the friendships that have existed for years,” notes Nils Dufau.
Roger Richter first set foot on the island in 1983. He has thus witnessed the entire evolution of Piteå Day. “There’s been a growing enthusiasm over the past decade,” he observes. “Everything has picked up speed. For example, back when the Gustavialoppet first started, there weren’t many of us, and nobody cared!” He bursts out laughing: “The first one, in 1991, was 17 kilometers long and went through Grand Fond and Cul-de-Sac. People in cars would stop to ask us if we needed help. They thought we were crazy!”
On Sunday, six members of the Swedish delegation will take the starting line for the Gustavialoppet. Two others will just go for a walk. With a twinkle in his eye, Roger Richter reflects on all these years of twinning and says, “Our bond is unique.” And he fully intends to work to ensure it endures.
Schedule:
Saturday, November 7
10 a.m. – Ecumenical ceremony at the Swedish cemetery in Public
3:00 p.m. – The “Foulée des Ti-Mouns” at the St-Jean Stadium
3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. — “In the Footsteps of an Architect: Treasures from the Swedish Era!” at Dinzey House (or Le Brigantin) in Gustavia. The St-Barth Heritage Association, in collaboration with ASBAS and the Honorary Consulate of Sweden, invites children ages 10 to 14 to discover the secrets of historic buildings through an interactive tour and create a watercolor sketch. Registration required: contact@stbarth-heritage.org (last name, first name, year of birth, and phone number). Limited spaces available.
6:00 p.m. – Captain’s Briefing: registration / trolling and bottom fishing with the Saint Barth Sport Fishing Association. Wall House plaza
7:00 p.m.: Pasta Party on the Wall House plaza in Gustavia. Exclusively for runners, marshals, and organizers of the Gustavialoppet (5 and 10 km).
Sunday, November 8
6:00 a.m. – The Walk for All (8 km): departures from the St. Jean Stadium
6:15 a.m. – The Gustavialoppet (10 km) and the acclimatization run (5 km). Runners and walkers will receive a snack upon arrival at the Wall House. On the Wall House plaza.
Open start for the trolling contest
From 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.: Start of bottom fishing
8:15 a.m.: Arrival of the last runners in the Gustavialoppet. Shuttles will transport runners back to the stadium starting at 7:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Awards ceremony.
9:00 a.m. – Refreshment stand opens
12:00 p.m. – Takeout meals
12:00 p.m. – Last call for boats to return from bottom fishing
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Dominoes prize ceremony
3:30 p.m. - Reception
3:30 p.m. – Concert by young violinists from the Om’Violon association.
4:00 p.m. - Deadline for boats to return, trolling
4:00 p.m. – Performance by the music school’s percussionists, directed by Julien Séguret
4:30 p.m. – Traditional dance with the Gongonnes and the Gongons
5:00 PM - The Bons Chœurs Choir; Official Speeches; Awards Ceremony for the Foulée des Ti-Mouns.
6:45 p.m. – Awards ceremony / Trolling, bottom fishing, and chess competitions
7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Concert featuring Les Romantiques
