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NCC SPARKS OUTRAGE – Cultural Activist Says Arts Getting Cold Shoulder

Image of George “Fish” Alphonse [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]

CULTURAL activist, George “Fish” Alphonse, has launched a campaign condemning the government for its decision to relocate the National Cultural Centre from its Barnard Hill home to make way for a courthouse.

Alphonse said this latest move by the government is an insult to culture, disrespectful to the legacy of former Prime Minister Sir John Compton, as well as to the French, who gifted the building some years ago.

Image of George “Fish” Alphonse [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]
George “Fish” Alphonse [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]

Alphonse said he feels terrible about the fact that there was a lack of consultation between government and the arts community who utilise the space. He said even more disheartening is that government consulted with the courts and had even set a time-frame for the big move while leaving the cultural folks in the dark.

“You do not give a gift and then years later come and take it back. It’s unethical. You cannot take back a gift — a gift is a gift! Sir John was the founding member of the United Workers Party and it’s the United Workers Party that’s in government now. But, in a way, they are interfering with the legacy of Sir John,” Alphonse said.

He continued: “They must be aware that the legacy of Sir John is very cultural. They might see it as political but the National Trust was started by Sir John, even the Folk Research Centre. Sir John provided funding for the FRC to buy that building. Sir John saw the vision in building the Cultural Centre where it is, as well as the Cultural Development Foundation and then the Cultural Department.”

Alphonse also highlighted the matter of economics which, he said, was grossly overlooked. He believes the move will do more damage than what has been conceived: “What they do not understand is the fact that there is a lot of economics around the Cultural Centre. The people from Barnard Hill, before we have a little show there, the vendors coming there are mostly from Barnard Hill.”

He said that over the years, he had heard many empty promises of building a better cultural centre, none of which were kept. He added that he will not sit by and allow the building to be moved and have the arts community remain without a home while waiting for a new one to be built.

He said: “They want to build a better place? My God! Build it first, then take me out. That’s the logical way! Build it first and if it’s better than all my tropical view up on Barnard Hill, then I may consider.”

He said the location of the Cultural Centre is important because it is within walking distance and easily accessible for people, especially those who live in and around the city centre.

The VOICE spoke to some residents neighbouring the NCC to get their impressions on the matter.

“I find it’s ridiculous. That’s the best place for the Cultural Centre. They could get somewhere for the courthouse!”

“It’s not safe for a courthouse here. This is a residential area and there are citizens that are around this area daily. It’s an issue to look out for because when people are coming from all over to attend court, who knows what they can get up to?!”

“The Cultural Centre is good where it is! Leave it there.”

“I don’t think this is the best place for a courthouse.”

“I never thought of the safety issue of a courthouse coming there. But now when I look at it, what will happen when one set of fellas meet another set that they don’t mix with? This is a residential area. Why here? They will bring big problems.”

The VOICE also sought comment from Senior Communications Officer for the Office of the Prime Minister, Nicole Mc Donald, regarding Alphonse’s concerns. However, she said it was too soon to give a definitive response to the claims being made.

McDonald said: “A definitive decision has not been made. Although the Prime Minister did mention it in his budget, the various stakeholders are still working out the details of this task.”

Contrary to Alphonse’s statement, Mc Donald said there has been an ongoing discussion on the matter.

Meanwhile, Alphonse said he knows he will be labelled as a political hack for speaking against the government on this matter, adding that the only hack he will confess to being is a cultural hack, where culture and country come first. As for politics, he said he can never allow politics to dictate his actions because politics has always shunned local culture.

He said: “Over the years, there have been many times where I didn’t even vote. I’m so fed up with the politics — and don’t get me wrong — both governments have failed the arts. I want to make that clear. Both governments — be it red, be it UWP, be it whatever. Over the years, they have failed culture.”

Alphonse said $3 million was allocated towards Carnival in this year’s budget, which is incomparable to the $20,000 that has been allocated to the La Rose and La Marguerite Flower Festivals, even after 35 years of begging and pleading for more funds and support to be placed on the national events.

To add to the insult, he said that for the first time in over 30 years of CARIFESTA, St. Lucia will not be participating. This, he said, is clear evidence that the governments have no real interest in the national cultural arts.

He said: “The arts get this cold shoulder. That’s why it’s easy to move the Cultural Centre there because it’s the same lack of respect that goes all around for the arts. So even the venue, they could just take that away from you and go with it. They could just take it away without asking ‘Can I?’”

Rochelle entered the Media fraternity in May 2011 as a fresh-faced young woman with a passion for the English language, a thirst for worldly knowledge and a longing to inform the world of what was happening around them, whether it was good or bad.

She began as part of a small news team at Choice Television, which falls under the MediaZone umbrella. She was hired as one of the original members of the newly created Choice News Now team...Read full bio...

 

2 Comments

  1. I am in support of Fish Alphonse 100%. There is a total disrespect for the Arts and Culture by successive Governments in St. Lucia and it is time for us to be respected. There has been no consultation or discussion whatsoever, unlike what the communications officer of the OPM has said. The Cultural Center was a tent given to us by the French as a temporary structure in 1979. When will we have a permanent Performing Arts Center? How can the government be talking about closing the NCC and constructing the Halls of Justice on that spot. So does it mean that the Courts are more important than the arts? I have so many questions, and so I am waiting to see what they are offering us instead of Barnard Hill and the temporary tent that is there!!!!!

  2. St lucia like their leaders fair. Lol. Why you guys not giving that one a chance. At least he is transparent it’s like you’ll see a bois.

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