Sir John's Passion for the Arts should Live On

Thursday, September 20, 2007 – Former Director of Culture and cousin of Sir John, Mr. Jacques Compton said he remembers Sir John fondly, especially for his love of the Arts and Culture.

Mr. Compton says Sir John's passion for the Arts was reflected in his personal life as well as in political office as he always made Arts and Culture one of his administration's s focus areas .

'Sir John had a passionate interest for the Arts. Whenever he travelled anywhere at conferences, he always took in a theatrical production, whether it be at the cinema, theatre, ballet, opera or dance - whatever, he never missed a thing like that. That's why he always wanted a national theatre for Saint Lucia.”

Mr. Compton said this is one of Sir John's dreams for Saint Lucia that he hopes will be brought to fruition by those charged with the authority to chart the course of development.

“Unfortunately things did not happen in a way that allowed him to realise this dream in his life time. When he returned again in politics, this last time again he pledged to have the national theatre as his monument. As you'd probably recall at the Independence youth rally this year when he saw the performances of the various schools and so forth again he pledged that he will see to it that the national theatre was built and he even promised to put aside one million dollars in this year's budget to go towards that so unfortunately, he did not leave to see that dream he always wanted .I suppose we'll have to see that that happens”

Mr. Compton said Sir John's love of the Arts expanded to literature and he was a great reader who was particularly fascinated with the Greek Civilization.

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