Articles - Government grants official funeral to St Lucia’s Queen of Culture

Saint Lucia’s Queen of Culture Dame Marie Selipha “Sesenne” Descartes will receive the honour of an Official Funeral Service and Burial on Saturday, August 28th, 2010. The Government has agreed to grant Sesenne the honour of an Official funeral following recommendations by a Government Appointed Committee which was put in place to formulate funeral arrangements.

Dame Marie Selipha “Sesenne” Descartes will receive a send-off be-fitting of her status as Saint Lucia’s Queen of Culture during an elaborate ceremony to be held at the St. Lucy’s Catholic Church in the village of Micoud. The event will comprise of a Tribute Forum from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, followed by the formal funeral service immediately afterwards. The Tribute Forum will feature cultural performances/presentations by various cultural groups and individuals and addresses by Officials including Minister of Culture, Hon. Gaspard Charlemagne and Prime Minister Stephenson King.

Prior to the commencement of the Tribute Forum and Funeral Service, members of the public will be able to view the body of Sesenne at the Church from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Following the conclusion of the funeral service, the funeral procession will proceed via vehicular procession to the Patience, Mon Repos junction. At that point the Casket bearing the body of Dame Marie Selipha Descartes will be carried by hand to the burial site near her home, which is approximately 150 yards away.

During his tribute at the funeral service, Prime Minister Stephenson King will announce decisions made by Government to immortalize the name and work of Saint Lucia’s Queen of Culture.

Government encourages all Saint Lucians to share in this historic moment by viewing the body, attending the Tribute Forum and/or Funeral Service of Dame Marie Selipha “Sesenne” Descartes on Saturday, August 28th, 2010 at the St Lucy’s Catholic Church in the village on Micoud. Efforts are currently underway to relay the funeral and burial ceremonies live via radio and through the internet by streaming.

Let Saturday, August 28th, 2010 be marked as a special day nationally to celebrate the work and life of our Queen of Culture, Dame Marie Selipha “Sesenne” Descartes.