Unveiling of bust brings Saint Lucia and French Overseas Territories closer

Monday, November 16, 2009 – Minister for Local Government and Member of Parliament for Castries Central, Honourable Richard Frederick, has called on all Saint Lucians to acquaint themselves with the history of Saint Lucia's capital city, Castries.

Minister Frederick made the call on Sunday, at a special ceremony to unveil a symbolic bust of Charles Eugene Gabriel de la Croix – Marquis de Castries who served as Minister of Marine Affairs and Colonies from 1780 to 1787.

Marquis de Castries was considered a French stalwart during the 14 battles between the British and the French for Saint Lucia, which the French won seven times.

Minister Frederick also explained the rational behind paying tribute to the man after whom the city of Castries is named. “It was the renowned Robert Nestor Marley affectionately known as Bob Marley who said 'a people without knowledge of their history is like a tree without roots.' It is with this phenomenon in mind that we at the Castries City Council saw it fitting to provide our people with the opportunity of adding to their knowledge the history involved in naming this beautiful city of ours called Castries.” Minster Frederick says given the contribution of Marquis de Castries, a bust in his honour is long overdue.

The French ambassador to Saint Lucia and the OECS Michele Sauteraud, says the bust which stands tall at Constitution Park highlights the long and close historic ties between Saint Lucia and the people of the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. “I am convinced that this event which we are celebrating, will give new impetus to the special and close relationship deeply anchored in our history which so happily unites us, particularly in the cultural and linguistic fields of our two countries,” Sauteraud said.

Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King was on hand for the unveiling of the Bust of Charles Eugene Gabriel de la Croix – Marquis de Castries.

The bust is also being viewed as government’s commitment to strengthening the relationship between Saint Lucia and the French Overseas Territories.

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