The Dominica Freedom Party joins a mourning family, nation and the rest of the region, as we remember the late Dr. Alwin Bully, a great son of the soil who passed on Friday, March 10, 2023.
Alwin has made an extraordinary contribution to Dominica’s arts and culture, to include areas as a groundbreaking actor, playwright and artistic director. His contribution in these areas extended to the rest of the region where he also made a huge impact in the area of theatre. He can well be described as one of the Region’s finest cultural icons.
He also created tremendous impact on the Dominican society in the areas of education and communication. His artistic and creative skills in the design and building of carnival costumes, as well as his planning and execution of carnival and other cultural activities has left an indelible mark on our nation’s culture. As the designer of our National Flag, Dr Bully’s artistic legacy has been etched in our county’s history.
He has exemplified what true service to country and the region is by the manner in which he exhibited a special love and keen interest in the creative arts and cultural advancement at all levels of the people of Dominica and the Caribbean region as a whole.
Dr. Bully also left a great mark on the Caribbean region through his University education at UWI Cave Hill Barbados, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2011.
His attachment to the UNESCO office in Kingston, Jamaica for the Caribbean region, as well as his involvement in theatre in Jamaica, appearances and performances at Carifesta including Barbados in 1981, will not go unnoticed.
He was a recipient of the Golden Drum award in 1997 and 2021. The Sisserou award of honor was bestowed on him in 1985 from the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica for his design of the National Flag as well as the recipient of Q95’s National Hero’s award for his lifetime achievement in Arts, Theatre and Culture, he epitomized service to humanity in the words of the late Mahatma Ghandi “The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others” Alwin did exactly that.
In recognition of his service to country and the region, the Dominica Freedom Party will be in full support of the Government of Dominica in affording the late Dr. Alwin Bully the honor of an official funeral and recommend that the appropriate measures should be taken to name a public facility in his memory.
The DFP wishes to extend deepest sympathy to his wife Mrs. Anita Bully, the children, his siblings, relatives and friends, and the Dominican and regional communities which he served.
Rest in eternal peace, Alwin, our National hero.
Great idea Japs. The funds can be used for cultural scholarships and other aspects of Dominican culture, arts, music & history. Serious people only. Dr. Bully’s wife Anita can be invited to be the first chair of this Alwin Bully trust. Reach out to the people mentioned here to start the process.
I do not think we will ever have a teacher like Mr Alwyn Bully again at DGS, who was able to inspire so many people by his love for Art and theatre. Giving him a state funeral is the right thing to do.
I have not lived in Dominica for 44 years, but I am thinking that we his ex students who have benefitted from his inspiration should join forces and set up a charity in his name. Students like me are millionaires because of the love and support given to us by the Dominica Grammar School and its staff.
I suggest that we set up a Charity: the Alwyn Bully Foundation. Each year we should each contribute the equivalent of £1,000 sterling to this charity. If honest people like: Gemma Fingal, Dr Lennox Honychurch, and others are willing, they can become trustees, of this foundation. I can canvass ex DGS students in the UK and raise the money each year about £50,000 plus. Chapters can be created in Canada and USA. I am sure that we can raise significant funds to hep the cause. What say…