StMaartenNews

Dr. Denzil Douglas delivers Emancipation Day Lecture

June 26, 2017

GREAT BAY – The former Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Denzil Douglas will deliver the Emancipation Day Lecture at the University of St. Martin on Saturday July 1, at 8 p.m. according to the Independence for St. Martin Foundation.
Dr. Douglas will focus on The Realities of Independence, the title and theme of the third annual address organized by the foundation. Dr. Douglas served as the Prime Minister of the Federation St. Kitts and Nevis from 1995 to 2015 and remains one of his country’s noted political leaders.
Dr. Douglas is also a medical doctor and his book Coming of Age: Speeches by Hon Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis was published in 2009.
“It is an honor to have the former PM of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis accept our invitation and to share with the people of St. Martin the critical, behind the scenes, first hand, and collective experiences of the most recent nation in the Caribbean to gain political independence,” said Independence foundation’s president Joseph H. Lake Jr.
“Admission is free and we’re inviting all of the St. Martin people to attend. There will be a question-answer period with Dr. Douglas and a reception for the people to meet and talk with our keynote speaker,” said Lake following his appearance on the Culture Time radio program on Sunday.
The St. Martin Emancipation Day schedule is packed with family, official, church, and cultural foundation activities — observing and celebrating the island-wide Emancipation of St. Martin people from the institution of Slavery as of 1848, said Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, author of Language, Culture and Identity in St. Martin.
The official wreath laying at the Freedom statue roundabout — WJA Nisbeth Road/Sucker Garden Road — takes place in the early morning of July 1.
The annual Emancipation family picnic at Emilio Wilson Park will start at 1 p.m. The program includes dance, song and music performances by popular artists, poetry, traditional food and drink, and a fashion show of clothing from St. Martin’s “Traditional Period” (1848-1963), said organizer Nkosazana Illis, head of the Voices Foundation.

Photo Caption: Dr. Denzil Douglas speaks about the realities of independence. Photo Wikipedia