On Friday night, December 14, the Saint Lucia Consulate in Martinique hosted a fundraiser ball in the quaint town of Trois-Îlets which is known as the birthplace of Joséphine, Napoléon Bonaparte’s first wife. All proceeds were for the Marine Unit of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force.
This first-time event organized by Saint Lucia’s Consul General to Martinique, Johanna Salton, was sold out in a matter of days and saw the who’s who of Martinique politics and business in attendance. Alfred Marie-Jeanne the first president of the Executive Council of the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique sat with Prime Minister Allen Chastanet at the head table. Diplomats, mayors, business leaders, members of Invest Saint Lucia, and Saint Lucians filled the ballroom of Hotel Bakoua.
During his speech, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet mentioned that Josephine is also reported to have been born in Saint Lucia, but in the spirit of friendship between the two islands it will be agreed that she is from both Martinique and Saint Lucia.
After prime minister Chastanet’s speech he presented what he described as a “very special gift” to President of the Executive Council of Martinique, Alfred Marie-Jeanne which was sculpted by Saint Lucian, Jallim Eudovic. In response president Marie-Jeanne said, “This is a big surprise to me because what we initiated must continue beyond our borders, and together we must go all the way.”
It was an elegantly formal affair with dinner followed by entertainment of Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson and Le Grand Ballet du Martinique. Dancing is reported to have continued until 2 am.
