Something special happened yesterday,” said external affairs minister Sarah Flood- Beaubrun. “When I was watching . . . I guess we all were following the Botham Jean trial as it unfolded . . . I saw a young Saint Lucian do something that caused me to really reflect on who we are as people and where we are going.” Senator Fortuna Belrose echoed the Jean sentiment: “Minister Beaubrun mentioned the behaviour of my fellow Saint Lucian, overseas, yesterday, forgiving, reconciling. ‘You took my brother from me but I will still show you love because justice is not mine to give. That’s the society’s business.’ ”
Then it was the turn of Prime Minister Allen Chastanet: “We were reminded once more of the power of our youth when in a US courtroom yesterday, a young Saint Lucian stood up and showed such courage and compassion. With one hug, young Brandt Jean impacted the world!”
All of that at the unveiling ceremony of a national monument by renowned Saint Lucian sculptor Jallim Eudovic, whose work is known across the world. As pointed out by Flood-Beaubrun, referencing Brandt Jean’s humanity, his act “really spoke to who we are; rather, who we should be, what our common ancestry is, what our common heritage is and what should be our common destiny”.
This, of course, lines up perfectly with the theme of Eudovic’s monument, a giant canoe with four rowers aboard; a representation of our Amerindian ancestors coming to Saint Lucia. The monument, which stands at the John Compton Highway roundabout, cost EC$300,000 but price was perhaps the farthest thing from the minds of those at the unveiling ceremony, many of whom came prepared to record the activity.
Several times there were bursts of sustained applause. As for the sculptor of the day: “I only own the process. The inspiration is of God, and the outcome for the people. Now I stand before you, my people, humbled to be given the opportunity to channel the ethos of our collective histories, our ancestry, who we’ve become and what we aspire to be. I have a deep and profound love for my people that grows stronger whenever I travel, as it becomes very clear to me that we Saint Lucians are unique among all humanity. Our wit, culture, language, way of life, attitude, are like no other. The Saint Lucian person is a noble person. We are, in my view, the most talented country per capita in the world.”
Speaking to the STAR: “I’m honoured that my work is now featured prominently in my home country. I have contributed immensely to the landscape of China for a number of years now, but this is special.”
PM Chastanet ended on a note of gratitude. “I congratulate once again Jallim Eudovic and thank all who made this monument and today’s event possible. This year has seen the most amazing celebrations of Independence in our country.” More on the unveiling in our next issue.
