For two weeks in late July and early August the community of Loubiere will steal the national spotlight with its first ever reunion celebrations.
A Heritage Exhibition, Miss Loubiere pageant, Launch of Loubiere Commemorative magazine, Information Communication Technology (ICT) Symposium are some of the activities that will run over the two-week period.
Chairperson of the Loubiere Village Council Rosamund Lebruin told a launch of the activities on Friday that the idea of the reunion came from community members and other residents who “hold the view that Loubiere has much to be proud of and therefore needed to invite the many persons who were born here and are resident elsewhere.”
She said some residents who attended other reunion activities on the island also shared the view that Loubriere has a lot to celebrate “and can use the occasion to reunite and re-engage sons and daughters through a series of activities over a two-week period.”
“The reunion will therefore highlight the developments that took place over the last 50 years,” she said.
Delivering a brief address during the launch Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit said that the organizing committee has a budget of more than EC$50,000, and pledged an additional EC$15,000.
“To give you a jump start, and I recognize that the government, through the Dominica National Petroleum Ltd, has already given you some $3,000,” he said. “That company is fully owned by the government, and they cannot give you any money unless the Minister of Finance approves it. So we have already given you $3,000 and I want to say to you tonight, that in addition to it, the government is making a commitment of $15,000.”
The Prime Minster stated that it is hoped that it will serve as a motivator to other corporate citizens to play their part, “in ensuring that we can have, if not the best, but one of the best reunions Dominica would have ever seen.”
The reunion will be held under the theme: Celebrating our community, come back to our roots.
It will run from Thursday 24th July to August 4th 2014.
The following is the calendar of events for Loubiere Reunion 2014.
Thursday 24th July-opening ceremony and Ecumenical service
Friday 25th July- AM: Opening of Heritage Exhibition
PM: Culture Night (Miss Loubiere Pageant)
Saturday 26th July –AM: Cross Country Hikes (Bellevue Chopin/Giraudel WNT)
PM: Gospel Festival (Community and National artists)
Sunday 27th July- AM: Church Service (Individual faiths)
PM: Sports Extravaganza
Monday 28th July- AM: Launch of Loubiere Reunion commemorative magazine
PM: Meeting with cabinet with visiting diaspora
Tuesday 29th July- AM: Development forum on the theme “Investing in our community. Focus on the Youth”
PM: Remembering our ancestors
Wednesday 30th July- AM: ICT Symposium & Summer day camp
PM: History Night Dr. Lennox Honeychurch
Thursday 31st July- AM: ICT Symposium continues. Jounen Gwan Monde
Friday 1st August- PM: Calypso Extravaganza (Local talent Night)
Saturday 2nd August- AM: Market Day with a difference/ Bazaar
Optional activities-Cross Country Hikes, Whale Watching, Snorkeling
PM: Award ceremony, Oldie Goldie’s dance with Guest DJ (Reuben “Black Joe” Richards
Sunday 3rd August-Kubuli Beer Festival/Fair-Lalay Coco arena; live band from 6:00 pm
Monday 4th August – Jouvert –Loubiere Style/ Family Picnic
Why is it the same date as GrandBay reunion?
Gosh ! Wish I knew sooner. Already booked for Independance ! Still, hope all in Dominica and returnees enjoy the community festivities in Loubiere.