The Consulate General of Saint Lucia in New York hails last weekend’s Independence 44 Gospel Fest, a “tremendous success.”

Held at Brooklyn's Waymark Ministries, this yearly concert wass the first in a series of scheduled events celebrating Saint Lucia’s forty-fourth anniversary of independence.

This year’s Gospel Fest was attended by scores of Saint Lucians and friends of Saint Lucia. H.E. Ms. Menissa Rambally, Saint Lucia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Jeremiah Hyacinth, Saint Lucia's Consul General in New York were present, and addressed the gathering. Saint Lucia's Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs, H.E. Julian DuBois, made a virtual presentation.

Headlining this year's event was Emrand Henry, a renowned Saint Lucian gospel entertainer and international recording artist. Also featured was a host of local of gospel entertainers, including gospel heavyweight Shirley Ann Cyril-Myers, Hailey and Kayla Jn Francois, and for the first time, the National Youth Choir accompanied by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Band. Last but not least were appearances by Jamaican gospel performers Joan Smith, Odayne Rhoden, and Robert Bailey.

On Tuesday February 7^th the first installment of Independence Diaspora Tuesdays, a lecture series was held, featuring Saint Lucian Professor Dr. Tennyson Joseph. The discussion was on the topic, "Saint Lucia’s Post-Independence Socio-Economic Transformation” and was conducted online and streamed live on the National Television Network and social media.

For more details regarding upcoming Independence 44 activities, please contact the consulate at 212.697.9360, or at sluconsulateny@govt.lc.