Dominica cannot speak so we, her sons and daughters, must speak out for her.
Dominica is a Sovereign State. This means that it is an international, independent entity with its own rules and laws, headed by a centralized government that has supreme and independent authority over its geographic space.
The citizens of Dominica, its “people”, are bound to the nation’s sovereign rules and laws, and responds to no other governing convention which minimizes the “people’s” worth and/or places another group ahead of the Dominican citizen.
Governing conventions create economic opportunities for the people. Such opportunities involve commercial investment opportunities and in this particular case, ‘Cultural Tourism’, through Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival (WCMF). The WCMF is, therefore, indigenous to Dominica and is intended to benefit the “people” of Dominica first and foremost. It was also very strategically scheduled, by the founders, to respect and blend into the cultural uniqueness of the island’s people.
Since 1997, Dominica’s WCMF has been staged to coincide with, and in respect of Dominica’s ‘Heritage Day celebration’ and ‘International Creole Week’, which takes place on the final week of October each year. Creole Week commences with Heritage Day (Sunday), and runs into the World Creole Music Festival (Friday to Sunday); making it the most fascinating eight days of Creole activities on earth.
Over the past eleven years (since 2002), a Creole in the Park (CITP)event has been added to the ‘Creole Week’ package and has been a major boost to Dominica’s cultural/heritage product. In fact, from the offset, the CITP ran for five days (Monday to Friday), but the organizers, LIME, quickly adjusted the schedule so the event would not interfere with Dominica’s Creole Day (Friday). The CITP exposes thousands of people, visitors and locals alike, to a variety of Dominica’s Creole cuisine, and also allows a large number of local musical groups and heritage musicians to showcase their craft in this extravagant day time event.
The World Music Creole Festival is the ‘Mother-of-all’ Creole events. It climaxes the Creole Week activities with three nights of pulsating music, featuring international, regional and Dominican musical groups and Heritage Musicians. Thousands, mainly ‘Dominicans’ patronize the event each year. The WCMF also attracts many French and Creole patron from neighboring Guadeloupe and Martinique, and St. Lucia to some extent. Dominicans living overseas also plan their trips, most years in advance, to participate in the WCMF event.
This year, 2014, organizers of the WCMF, the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), through the Dominica Festival Committee (DFC), decided to change the regular date of the event. Colin Piper, Chair of the organizing committee explains the reason for the change as follows:
November 3, which is our Independence day will fall on a Monday and typically at 8:30 am there will be the military parade,” he explained. “That military parade will take place at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium which is the same place where the World Creole Music Festival will take place…and so if we were to keep the date of the 31 (October), November 1 and 2, we will have Sunday night’s event running into probably 2, 3, 4 am, then we will have [have] three or four hours to get the grounds prepared for the military parade, which was not possible (Piper, as quoted by DNO,).
The DNO release states that, according to Piper, Discover Dominica Authority (DDA)”was alerted by the ferry service that November 3 is All Saints Day in the neighbouring islands which, according to him [Piper], is heavily patronized in the French markets” (Piper, as quoted by DNO). The release continues by quoting Piper as saying: “And so when they look back on their records they realized there is quite a bit of traffic between Guadeloupe and Martinique happening on those dates…and so they advised us that if we wanted to get maximum patronage from Guadeloupe and Martinique in terms of availability of the ferry we should consider the 24th to the 26th…” (Piper, as quoted by DNO).
After carefully considering all the given circumstances, I would like to place the following opinion on records: 1. Mr. Piper was misleading the public when he told the press that organizers had an audience with stakeholders before effecting the date change; the only stakeholders meeting in keeping with the change took place on Friday, March 21, 2014 at 8:30am, over a week after the decision had been taken. 2. The Ferry service, a stakeholder in itself, cannot mandate a change of date of the event. The other stakeholders should have a say and if such change were to be made, this idea had to have been taken to the people whom such change would affect most. From the best of my knowledge, the Dominicans stand to lose the most in that matter, seeing that the entire population of Dominica has a stake in the festivities. 3. The November 3, All Saints day argument just does not make sense in the context of the discussion. Why should a neighbouring island’s indigenous/spiritual (or what have you) celebration have more prominence than the heritage event of Dominica?
I have a few questions:
1. Are you aware that the highlight of Dominica’s Independence Celebrations is the ‘Creole Week Activities’, beginning with Heritage Day and stretching into the National Cultural Gala?
2. Are you also aware that the WCMF is an event which forms part of the overall Creole celebrations?
3. Are you further aware that your actions may destabilize the rhythm of the heritage observances; a legacy which has been established (and working) since 1965?
4. What do you, Mr. Piper; intend to do with the CITP?
5. What do you expect to happen at the end of your WCMF event; do you expect that the patrons/visitors will remain on island for another week to enjoy ‘Dominica’s’ Creole Week of activies?
6. Who advised you on this move?
7. Are you aware that decisions can be reversed in the interest of the overall good of a people, and that economic considerations ‘alone’ should not be used when deciding on matters of “the people’s” culture?
8. Do you know that as “a people”, we are best known by our culture?
9. If you believe, and are truly convinced that the WCMF is a superior to Dominica’s Creole Cultural Heritage, why don’t you move the event to some other time, away from the traditional Creole celebrations?
I conclude by offering the following: 1. The 3rd of November Independence Day issue is a non-issue. Just please begin the Sunday WCMF event earlier and end earlier, say 1:00 pm (if something should give, it must be the WCMF – not the island’s heritage. Mr. Piper, you could put a crew to work (overnight if needs be – as our Chinese do) to get the venue ready for the parade. I am willing to volunteer my expertise, pro bono.
This is all which is needed. Yes, it is as simple as that, Mr. Colin Piper. Yes sir, Mr. Colin Piper, now is the time – once and for all – to move the Sunday leg of the WCFM from an evening event to an all day event.
As I reflect, it seems easy to brush aside the little heritage nuances which are dear and unique to “a people” in the interest of the “economic good”. I ask that good sense prevail. I pray that Dominica’s heritage be respected, and preserved, midst this period of political maneuvering and economic instability, because, at the end of it all, Dominica is all that we have.
I hope that the cultural practitioners will find their tongues at this eleventh hour; may the spirits of the fallen cultural giants guide us perpetually.
Give Mr. Piper a break. The man is trying his best to sell Dominica. I wish one of you would try organizing and working in his shoes. You will see how easy you think it is. Support the man! Mr. Piper thanks for the work that you are doing in Portssmouth with the Creole Jazz. Portsmouth is ready to move on so work with us. See if you can get Gordon Henderson back on track with you.
I must say why the sudden change? To accommodate what? I mean we think that our festivities will not be patronized? Well I have a question are we catering soley for the French people in Martinique and Guadeloupe ? So we want them to pativipate and attend but not fellow Dominicans in the diaspora ? Well let’s take a look at carnival the dates for carnival are set the same time every year this is also the same time as Trinidad carnival too how come we have never changed it to allow more people to attend? I mean trini people know how to party too and so many other island people would maybe love to patronize out carnival but I don’t see us trying to change the date to accommodate them? If this is such an issue what not have two crews one set it people to set up another to clean up and have the grounds ready for the parade the next morning . It can be done Dominicans are looking for work and asking for jobs now there is a dam job for you all to do. This is all in bringing money to the country why mess with our heritage what happens to people who already got tickets thie is gonna leave a bad taste in their mouths so wise up. Economically this is not a wise move it can all be done with wisdom.
I do not know much about it but as someone said put the activities back to porttersville savannah that will not interfere with he grand parade and Sunday will not have to end early due to the park..
That is true in the sense that the grounds will be ready. But what about the people who taking part in the parade? Or those who want to watch? they should leave the fest early or stay late and go park drunk and tired? I think everyone should get the chance to fully enjoy all aspects.
I understand the decison made. As we all agree, Creole festival is made for the benefit of the country. It is for the FINANCIAL benefit of the country. The Express people merely SUGGESTED that from their experience, a date change would increase the numbers of visitors. They did not tell the government not to have the festival the usual time.
As the person who started the petition to have the dates changed back to its original time, I most certainly applaud this commentary by Alex. As a Dominican living abroad, I have been fortunate to have opened eyes and an open mind, to be able to think logically instead of with clouded judgment due to political leaning. It is because of this why I can state again the following:
(1) when WCMF started in 1997, it was a symbolic gesture of tying in our usual creole day/independence activities together with a seamless flow. All specifics not withstanding, the first night was October 31st, 1997 and the full dates were Oct. 31 – Nov. 2nd. As I stated before, the same thing happened in 2003 (October 31 – Nov 2nd) and again in 2008 (October 31 – Nov 2nd). It was held those dates, because those year, like this year, October has FIVE Fridays. As such, Mr. Piper’s claim that the dates would be an inconvenience to other activities, such as the parade is pointless.
Creole Festival has always been held on the LAST FRIDAY of October, just like Creole Day has always been the LAST Friday of October. Dates change every calendar, but you always follow the established time you decide to hold something. For example – Memorial Day is always the LAST MONDAY in May, no matter what the DATE it.
(2) It is really and truly NOT that hard to clean a park. Why? First off, we are a few thousand people, not a few hundred thousand (eg. Brazil/Trinidad Carnival) or a few million (e.g. Olympics), instead a few thousand. There are several options available to ensure that the park is cleaned and prepped for the parade, should they insist on holding it in the morning. Solution 1 – end Sunday Fes a bit earlier to allow sufficient departure from the area; Solution 2 – have more trash receptacles available on site; Solution 3 – increase your clean-up crew by a few to aid in faster cleanup. It is truly not that hard.
(3) The parade has been held in the afternoon previously, with no complaints or backlash, and the outcome was stellar. There is no hard and fast rule that this cannot be done again, if cleanup time between events is the main concern. I think more Dominicans, myself included would prefer to get a tiny bit of rest, and then proceed to the parade, refreshed and ready to go again. I believe more vendors would have time to come down from where ever and set up their wares, instead of hustling to get back down town for 8am. Am I the only one thinking logically?
(4) There are many other options/locations to host the parade. The gardens? Pottersvlle Savannah? Other villages?
I was rather disheartened and admittedly insulted when Mr. Piper indicated that this change is to heavily favor our French neighbors. What about us? Do we Dominicans abroad not count? What data did he look at to come to that conclusion that they are who sustains festival?
It is disgusting to think that the opinions of those most affected do not count. We already made plans. And for those who continue to speak on what they don’t know – NO it is not that easy to change your vacation dates, depending on your company. Further, as has been stressed by many, because our tickets have long been bought, changing the dates to come home earlier WILL incur change fees, point blank period. If you believe this to be false, call Liat and ask them how long you have to change a flight before you get charged a fee. When you are done, go on JetBlue, American Airlines, Delta, Continental and tell me what you see. Hint: you have 24hrs. After that, you are required to pay a change fee (US$150 for American carriers, US$100 for Liat).
It is inconceivable that this action is accepted. How many of you would have liked to know exactly when Labor Day parade is, book your tickets, make your plans, then hear that they decided to move Labor Day parade up by a week. Would you think it right, especially after it being established to happen at a certain time? Would you like it if they suddenly decide to move the dates for carnival? I doubt your feelings would be the same.
This is nothing short of poor planning, and while I hate to bring it into the fray, I truly believe that Mr. Piper is NOT being genuine with his reasoning. After all, DDA advertised HEAVILY with the “Bring a Friend”, posting dates of the original times in the ad. So why the sudden change?
This was not fair, not ethical, not thought through. As the head of an organization, you need to do better in assessing who is most affected by your changes, and listen when they speak. It is clear that Mr. Piper does NOT have the necessary thoughtful planning expertise needed to head an organization.
“4) There are many other options/locations to host the parade. The gardens? Pottersvlle Savannah? Other villages?”
You’ve got to be kidding.
We need to get our priorities right.
The National Parade should be held in the National Stadium!!!
Are we more interested in INDEPENDENCE celebration or Sewo/WCMF.
I wish Alex had penned a similar commentary when Lennox and his UWP asked for a boycott of Independence.
Where is our PATRIOSM????
Everything is upside down, everything is inside out”. Can I hear this song? Will somebody say to the diaspora, ” TOO BAD, IF YOU DO NOT LLIKE THE CHANGE OF DATE GO TO HELL WITH THAT “RUBBISH” our new word. I have heard on countless occasions calls to persons in the Diaspora come home bring a friend, spend your money, put some in the bank, and if there is any left donate it to the $$$$$ clinic. This time if the same position is taken I will be saying in return, “LIER, LIER, YOUR PANTS IS ON FIRE”. Please do not take us for fools.
As if when I listened to Piper’s statement, he only gave two reasons, one being a comment by the Expresse des Isles?.. and something else about whatever…. because he was sleep talking as usual. And based on these two reasons the date was changed? I was lost.
I initially had an issue with the date change but when I considered that it is for THIS YEAR ONLY I relented.
I do think that the announcement was LATE in coming and was a bit insensitive due to the fact the persons had purchased tickets.
Though Alex made some good suggestions, he as usual is just feeding the flames of controversy. This is not the first time that WCMF has been held at this time. Apparently this conflict comes up every four years or so as I have been told.
I am sorry for those who booked their tickets and will be missing the show. I am sure next year it will be business as usual.
My friend if it happens every four years then this right there is the problem, you had four years to tell Dominicans and the wider diaspora that 2014 date will change. Very simple
Colin Piper isn’t the one run the affairs in Dominica the Government does…….. and Alex if you cannot make it this year you have next year, you all are ones crying for change……..the change is here what’s the problem. I always said, be careful what you ask for…….. it may just slap you in the face…. You cannot please all the people all the time.
You must be a fool
Time should have been given for such change. You cannot bring in a law without first advising the people after all,
i wonder who u are… puttin the Linton family name to shame in marigot
Alex my Bro, Dominica is a strange place boss.your comment have very good merit…but sadly dominica is not known to be a smarter and brighter society…..haha
you think if they were smart they would have better governance on island…
the people of dominica are proud about slackness at all levels…it’s the today’s dominica….them still far out in the jungle boss man….
You see, this is the problem that i have with many Dominicans. A man expresses himself. Others respond, expressing themselves also. Suddenly, another comes out from nowhere and lambastes those who expressed a view that is different from the one that the man expresssed.
Why can’t you express yourself without insulting others simply because they disagree with you, Seminole Ave? Does it make you feel happier or “smarter” to do so? Or, is this your best effort at sounding arguing sensibly?
the parade could be held in the afternoon. they did it already so…… poor excuse Piper
I agree with the date change. If you hold the parade in the afternoon, what the numbers (crowd) will look like? You know is rum people beating whole night, including the people who marching. That you want? A rush show on Sunday night and then a sub par parade?
It couldn’t have been said better than that ALex………thumbs up to you!!!!!
Who give Alex Bruno the right to speak for all Dominican’s that’s why we vote at elections and I don’t recall him running. A date change in WCMF cannot be that significant that a whole commentary is required. Dominica have so many more issues to speak about. I believe that independence is a season not a 5 day weekend and so it’s more than just WCMF. Maybe people should wait to see how the change affects the event before all this talking talking saying nothing.
Can you name some of the issues
Alex’s position can be described as ethno-centric, wishing to truly promote the “culture” and “heritage” over any other consideration. The Discover Dominica Authority’s seems to be more pragmatic and financial rather and is only mildly removed from such sentimental values as espoused by Mr. Bruno.
I am all for culture, etc but culture on itself cannot make me eat bread or fish or buy medication for my bobo. Common sense must prevail, Alex. You ask: “Why should a neighbouring island’s indigenous/spiritual (or what have you) celebration have more prominence than the heritage event of Dominica?” if the bulk of your sales (including rental of property) come from foreign patrons you should pay attention to them. Simple economics, Alex, not sentimental attachment.
well im saying that i support the earlier start of the fete on sunday. it will give the krew enough time to prepare the grounds for the monday parade. or if not PUT THE WHOLE DAMN SHOW BACK TO THE POTERSVILLE SAVANAH
I Agee take the show back to PORTERSVILLE SAVANNAH
Here here. Why cannot Lime put on CITP from the 24th and let Creole in the Park run on as per. Reasons are I booked and paid for my vacation along perhaps with many others knowing how the dates fall. To make a decision at such short notice Mr Piper is most inconsiderate. Our cultural heritage is important to Dominicans. The French nationals are note the only persons who attend. Our original dates for World Creole Festival should remain and any other events, persons,Islands should not be accommodated by changing those dates. Again this all about us not moving forward. Bad planning. The website has no information for this year. Last years programme is still on the site. You need to consider all involved. Why why why is there never advanced planning of this event. To say the least even if the new dates were on the website or 2014 dates and proposed acts. You would not be in this mess if you had looked at this when 2013 festival had come to an end. Me PIpet you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail. To end I love both events and now cannot make any changes and will now only benefit from one event. I coming to see you so you can reimburse part of my fares. That’s fair.
Praise God! I agree with you. He has tickets to reimburse. Including mine.
Very good commentary. The National Day/ Independence Day parade could be held in the evening from say 4pm. That gives the Independence Day parade committee enough time to clean and make the park ready for the march pass…
Alex this is all about the scheduled date for the general election. Like the week before Xmas election of 2009 these desparados intend to use the same old scheme of importing voters with the intention to claim that people came home for the festival and not to vote.
These don’t care whether or not their lies are obvious or blatant. The hallmark of desperate . How easy it was for them to tell us that Charlie Jong works for GIS just
to cover up their clandestine election rigging activities.
Even when their every action and reaction points to their
ulterior motives they prefer lie boldly to the citizenry.
When they cannot lie they refuse to answer questions. Up to now there is no answer on the Silvestri’s money and the children’s hospital
The election date will be announced and many moralists will remain quiet. It is OK to deceive people the pastors , priests etc will proclaim with their defening silence.
What is disgusting is that people the various institutions are forced to become agents of deception and the face of blatant lies. 15 years and all saints event in Guadeloupe or Martinique has never messed up the festival-go figure.
It’s all about the military parade lol like Dominica have a military. On a serious note, Skerritt is behaving more like the people he frequent. By there fruits you shall know them. I think that decision came directly from the PMs office
“I conclude by offering the following: 1. The 3rd of November Independence Day issue is a non-issue. Just please begin the Sunday WCMF event earlier and end earlier, say 1:00 pm (if something should give, it must be the WCMF – not the island’s heritage.”
A lot of rambling, with a conclusion that is in itself contradictory.
The WCMF was moved out of respect for the island’s heritage.
Independence Celebrations is paramount on our annual calendar of events and I applaud Discover Dominica for giving it the respect due by adjusting the date of WCMF.
As concluded by the writer, if something should give, it must be the WCMF.
As a leader of any institution there comes a time when decisions even though not popular, must be made. Our cultural heritage must be prioritized. We must not allow any other event to interfere with our cultural activities. There are many other innovative ideas that can be incorporated during the week leading up to Independence, such as: cultural dances by the bay, Independence Calypso competition etc. Rather than being afraid or skeptical about change, let us look at the benefits and stop worrying about people may not come. One must have a clear understanding of human nature, when we enjoy something, we tend to make the necessary adjustments to satisfy our crave. Bear in mind the outcome of the early Sunday start. It has become annual. Mr. Piper, I support this change.
Alex thank you. That 3 Nov. argument is not even a red herring, it is a non existing herring not even a makijo!. 3 Nov, is not All Saints day (Toussaint). If you are a catholic you would know that it is on 1 Nov, and has always been, all over the world , Guadeloupe and Martiniue included. 1 Nov. is a saturday and 3 Nov, a monday but that is not a public holiday in Guadeloupe or Martinique. They have one on tuesday 11 March, Armistice day, so why not have the Creole Festival after our Independence? That ferry story is just poppy cock, an easy excuse. I am convinced that the DDA is not honest with us and that our big Boss does not want our Festival in the week before his big parade for whatever reason that is his alone to know.
I concur! 1000000000% I could not have said it better! The whole situation does not need a Doctorate to make this decision. And as I always say for argument sake why was the decision made so viki vie” In a rush”. and to compound the matter the reasons{S} given for the change in my opinion pure and simple “BS”. If is for the Good of the people why wasn’t the matter taken to the said people for their input with a view to show respect and appreciation to the persons who are the life line of the celebrations? We just not ready and we should wheel and come back to the usual date. And think of change in a more deliberate manner. We love our French neighbor and all others who patronize our festival but we must love our own and welcome every body else. MR. DR. PIPER. some times we should not major in the minor, but I feel your pain for you seem to be the messenger so you did your job sir or else you would have to submit you resignation. I am Dominican! Are YOU? Some say he is a French man Allegedly! if that’s true then the date will change.
I still believe that having the event during the day on Sunday would not give patrons enough time to recover from the Saturday night. Not forgetting the blaze from the sun during the day. It won’t make the event an enjoyable one for the patrons. It’s in their interest, remember? Only option here is to change the venue of the WCMF, while keeping with the traditional dates.
Or what about Starting the WCMF from the Thursday to end on Saturday. And have the PM declare Creole Friday a National Holiday just for this year given the circumstances. Afterall, its all about making the season a pleasurable and enjoyable one for ALL stakeholders.
Thanks Alex. I am sure many dominicans in the diaspora will echo your sentiments. There are many people who have actually booked and paid for tickets not to mention arranging vacation based on the earlier announced schedule (it was posted online). From the arguments of Colin Piper it seems that the main issue was really the weight given to a conceived notion that we have to cater primarily to french interests (and still for all a weak argument, suggesting they would chose another activity over ours). Furthermore, for the same arguments we have not moved our carnival, so to we should not move our creole festival. Also, when colin mentioned engaging stakeholders, who in the diaspora did he engage prior to the decision? Finally may the record also show that the WCMF has previously been held on the exact same timeline previously, successfully. After almost 20 years, by this time we ought to confidently announcing to visitors on the last day of the WCMF, the new date of the next festival, rather than waiting last minute to make changes. Yes, Colin, this is indeed last minute in the context of what is considered to be a “World” event.
These people have no regard for Dominicans living out of Dominica. When we come in our hundreds or thousands we contribute much more to the economy than the few French people who come.
Very very well put Alex….. I can’t say much else.
What’s the big fuss about.? Creole day has always been the last weekend in October and if u check ur calendar it is being staged the last weekend in October so get over it already..we as Dominicans too like to complain but never put ourselves forward to be scrutinized
Creole festival sorry
huh? you make no sense. Creole festival has been moved. Do you even know what the letter is about?