Noted playwright, artist, teacher and cultural icon Alwin Bully will be awarded the Doctorate of Letters (DLIT) at the University of the West Indies Open Campus graduation ceremony to be held on October 11, 2011 in Antigua.
The Council of the University, at its Annual Business Meeting on Friday, May 6 endorsed the award of Honorary Degrees to twenty-two persons. Among those receiving honorary degrees will be distinguished public servant and Governor General of Saint Lucia, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy who will be awarded the Doctor of Laws (LLD) and Bully.
Bully was born in Dominica and was educated at the Convent Preparatory School, the Dominica Grammar School, the St. Mary’s Academy and The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill. He taught at his alma mater eventually serving as headmaster. During that time he became deeply involved in the cultural landscape of Dominica which include drama, painting, dance, folk traditions, creative writing and Carnival.
In 1965 he had represented Dominica at the Commonwealth Arts Festival in Britain along with members of the Kairi and Dominica Dance troups. In 1978, with the encouragement of then Minister of Education, H. L. Christian, he established the ‘cultural desk’ in the Ministry of Education that eventually developed into the Cultural Division in the Ministry of Community Development.
In 1987 he left Dominica to work at the regional office of UNESCO in Jamaica, applying his creative skills to the wider Caribbean.
Bully has written many plays and has won many awards in Dominica and in Jamaica.
Recently Bully played the leading role in the film “A fistful of Dirt” which tells the story of three generations of Caribbean men and what happens when each one is faced with the choice of securing his own future or repeating the betrayals of the family past.
The film had its world premiere at the Trinidad and Tobago film Festival last November and has since featured at festivals in New York, L.A., Barbados and Toronto in the Reel World Film Festival where it played to full houses and won the Audience Choice Award.
The film will premiere in Dominica on May 20.
Editor’s note: some material for this story taken from lennoxhoneychurch.com
Congrats Alwin! A well-deserved award for a brilliant, multi-talented yet humble and down-to-Earth hero of Dominica.
GREAT news!!!!! Many hearty CONGRATS Alwin!! You have been such an inspiration to us here in Jamaica as well, and it is great when you can be honored in your own homeland! You are still my favorite and best director I’ve worked with and I will continue to keep you and Anita in my prayers as I think of you both all the time! Hope you will return to Jamaica still from time to time. We miss you and want you here too! Love always! I am so proud to know I know you and that you continue to go from strength to strength. You’re a real WINNER!
Now is the time to get into politics….Dominica needs people like you….
really need u now
Truly inspiring. Well done Alwin.
Wonderful news! Mr. Bully has done tremendous work for the island, and I hope we will be graced with more of his art in the years to come.
Congratulations to you Mr. Bully
(From your former student at DGS)
CONGRATULATION! YOUR HARD WORK AND WILL POWER PAID OFF
You are the man. Congratulations. Jah bless. You deserve every accolade.you have sewn and now you reap the sweet fruits of your labour. Keep up the good work. Very deserving.
“All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” MLK jr.
Congratulations to Alwin for excellence in his work. Congratulations also to the University of the West Indies for recognizing that excellence. However, for those who know Alwin, you will realize that his heart and mind dwells not on what he has already achieved but at what he aspires to do.
Congratulations!
Congrats to my former Literature teacher at the DGS. Dominica is proud of you
Congratulations to Alwin. He inspired and touched so many artists, art forms and cultural traditions in Dominica. I am happy to have known, been a student, and worked with Mr Bully. We are proud of you Alwin!
Fantastic news Mr. Bully. You are a true national icon.
Alwin, good to see that you are been recognized for your lifetime of inspiring work.
It’s a sacrifice but you must feel proud. Congratulations to you and your family.
Congratulation – Keep : up the good work.
My heart rose with joy at this good news. This award could not have been granted to a more deserving individual. Alwin has worked tirelessly for Dominica and the wider Caribbean in so many fields associated with heritage and culture and beyond for five decades.
Let us not forget that he has been ably supported by his loving wife Anita and in his life has had to face tragedy and setbacks… and yet he strove onwards and upwards taking the blows but continuing to put his shoulder to the wheel. He is and has been for years a true inspiration to us all.
Congratulations Alwin and all the best for the future for I know that you will not simply rest on your laurels. You will continue to contribute.
Congratulations, you’ve always been an inspiration and role model. God’s blessings
A genuine perosn has gotten an award!1
Congratulations Alwin – you are such a down to earth man. Although you mother hails from the prestigious Potter Family and your Dad a top top civil servant, you and your sibling are such humble people. WELL DOne
Congrats…You deserve it Mr.Bully.Your dedication and hard work throughout the years definitely warrens this prestigious award.
Congratulation Alwyn – this is a proud moment for you, your family and the entire Dominica.
doe care what they say theysay, but you are someone i always look up to with distintion.you deserved all the acolad you get. it was a pleasure working with you during your directorship in the theatre during the70’s and 80s.could say much more but that’s enough.CONRATS ALWIN.God Bless you and your family.
Congrats! You really deserve this top award Mr.Bully, my former teacher and Headmaster.
Keep up the good work.
Congrats! Alwin and I have come a long way. Well deserved.GOD BLESS.
Congratulations! well deserved Ramon, get your flowers whilst you are alive.
Could not have happened to nicer people, both Alwyn and Pearlette. Somehow back then I never saw Pearlette as being a “dame” and was quite shocked when I passed through St. Lucia and heard she was the governor. I would have liked to have visited with her but timing and protocol didn’t allow. My host said he’d have to arrange with his counterpart in security etc etc. I had a date with DA Reunion festivities and so I moved on. Of course I’ve known Alwyn for an eternity and I continue to marvel at his excellence. Well done both of you!!
That was so self indulgent..
I agree…
Congrats! Couldn’t go to a more deserving individual!