The Rose and the Marguerite are the symbols
of the two flower societies of Saint Lucia. They emerged as winners of the
National Flower Competition in September 1985. The national are associated with
the Flower Festivals.
The Flower Festivals: La Rose and La Marguerite
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The Rose |
Where, in some countries, the population
may be divided into classes and castes, in the context of Saint Lucia’s Cultural
traditions there exist two ‘Societies’, Roses and Marguerites -singing societies
whose members are dedicated to the praising of those respective flowers.
Each society holds an annual festival or grande fete, an elaborate and colourful
event full of pomp and pageantry, which is preceded by several months of nightly
singing practices called “Seances”.
Presiding over the annual festivals are the
‘King’ and ‘Queen who are accompanied by their royal entourage of Dukes,
Duchesses, Princes, Princesses, Soldiers, Policemen, Magistrates, Doctors,
nurses, the clerical hierarchy and supporters of the respective flowers. Strict
protocol is observed at those nightly Seances, with every visitor or
participating member, upon entering, bowing to the King and Queen who are
present with their court. Police and soldiers in uniform enforce regulations
against any disorder, breaches of protocol, or what are considered
misdemeanors. Offenders are taken before a magistrate for a mock trial and then
fined.
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The Marguerite |
Each society has a patron saint on whose feast day the grande fete is
celebrated. For the Roses it is the feast of St. Rose of Lima on the 30th
August; and for the Marguerites it is that of St. Margaret Mary Alacocque, 17th
October.
The grande fete is celebrated, first with church services throughout the island
and afterwards with processions through the streets, the principal personages
magnificently attired. In the evening there is a sumptuous banquet to which
dignitaries and leading personalities are invited. The rest of the evening is
spent in dancing. One can then witness and participate in some of the colourful
folk dances, the Quadrille, the Mappa, the Belair and such like.
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