On the evening of, Friday December 14, the Saint Lucia Consulate in Martinique hosted a fundraiser ball in the quaint town of Trois-Îlet known as the birthplace of Joséphine, Napoléon Bonaparte’s first wife. All proceeds raised will be used for the Marine Unit of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.
This event was the first of its kind organised by Saint Lucia’s Consul General to Martinique, Johanna Salton. The fundraiser was sold out in a matter of days and saw attracting prominent members of Martinique’s politics and business. 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.
Prime Minister Allen Chastanet delivered a speech and noted that some believe Josephine may have been born in Saint Lucia, but in the spirit of friendship between the two islands he encouraged all to agree that Josephine is from both Martinique and Saint Lucia.
After prime minister Chastanet’s speech he presented what he described as a “very special gift” to Alfred Marie-Jeanne. The present was created by Saint Lucian sculptor, Jallim Eudovic. In thankful 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 elegant and formal affair with dinner followed by entertainment by Ronald “Boo” Hinkson and Le Grand Ballet de Martinique. Guests danced the night away until about 2 a.m. including the prime minister and his wife who were the stars of a popular video circulating on social media from the night’s events.
