USVI governor
proclaims 'French Heriage Week'
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Tuesday, July 15,
2008 |
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By Susan Mann
Caribbean Net News US Virgin Islands Correspondent
Email:
susan@caribbeannetnews.com
ST THOMAS, USVI: Noting the importance of the French
citizen group in the US Virgin Islands community,
Governor John deJongh on Monday proclaimed July
13-19 as French Heritage Week in the USVI and has
urged all residents to join in the observation.
The proclamation caps a week of events, organized by
several community groups and organizations, which
were held in commemoration of the annual, French
Heritage Week.
“It is appropriate that we demonstrate to our
residents, neighbors and friends of French descent,
our feeling of warmth and sincere friendship towards
them,” deJongh said in the proclamation.
The expertise of the people of French heritage in
the areas of fishing, farming, the professions and
other vocations has contributed significantly to the
political, economic, social and cultural progress
and growth of the territory.
The governor also noted that Monday, Bastille Day,
is the observance of the anniversary of the storming
and destruction of the Bastille, the state prison in
France during the French Revolution. “This was a
significant act of bravery against tyranny during
the French Revolution and resulted in the
establishment of a republic and the freedom of the
French people.”
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USVI Governor John deJongh, Jr. Photo:
Susan Mann |
The proclamation
officially declares July 14 as “Bastille Day” in the US
Virgin Islands. The affection and respect of the people
of the Virgin Islands for brothers and sisters of French
descent have been recognized by the Legislature and
various community organizations over the years, deJongh
pointed out in the proclamation.
USVI’s honorary French consul, Odile de Lyrot, welcomed
Philippe Vinogradoff, general consul of France, to the
Territory for the first time on July 3.
DeJongh welcomed the two consuls, as well as the
Territory’s French community to a gala evening
reception, followed by dancing by both young and old a
like, at Catharineberg last Thursday, July 10.
Vinogradoff also paid a visit to the French Heritage
Museum, which is in the Frenchtown section of Charlotte
Amalie.
A pre-Bastille dance was also held in Frenchtown on
Friday evening, July 11.The annual, French Heritage,
Kingfishing Tournament, as well as a day of community
activities at Hull Bay took place on Monday, July 14.
Events wound down with a celebration by the Frenchtown
Civic Organization, including a dedication of the Lionel
Olive Park. |
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