July 14, 2007 — Bastille Day brought folks from all over the island to Frenchtown to share with one another the joy of the holiday.
Gov. John deJongh captured the spirit of the occasion when he said, "I've had the opportunity in the past few days to share in the celebrations of French Heritage Week, and I've realized it's not just about the French culture, it's about the culture of the Virgin Islands coming together. We really are observing all our culture, all our traditions."
The governor kept his remarks "short and sweet," as he had at the governor's reception Thursday night at Catherineberg. "Celebrate tonight," he said, "have fun, and I hope those of you who are in the fishing tournament tomorrow are able to get up in the morning."
The Frenchtown Civic Organization joined hands with the Committee for the Betterment of Carenage to present the program which began with the dedication of the tiny two-room house donated to the French Heritage Museum by the family of the late Louis Phillipe Greaux.
Earlier this year, the house was moved from its location atop the hill by St. Anne's Chapel to its present location next to the museum. Since then, the humble dwelling has been restored by Richardson, with the advice of Lillian and Margaret Greaux, two of the seven children raised in the home.
Lillian said Saturday night that they slept on the floor in designated spots. "That's why they called us 'floor backs,'" she laughed. Four of the original seven Greaux siblings were on hand for the dedication Saturday, Leancia and Victoria Greaux joined their sisters as Reverend Neil Scantlebury blessed the house.
The house was purchased by Greaux in 1935 for $55. Richardson noted that the new paint on the house cost more than $55 today.
The FTCO provided champagne and canapes as folks crowded the street, filing into the house and sharing memories, before the action moved to the stage in the Aubain ballpark parking lot, the traditional scene for Frenchtown celebrations.
Former Sen. Lorraine Berry was enjoying listening to her husband, Richard Berry, as he played with his small scratch band for the house dedication ceremony. She said Saturday that she was pleased to see the two Frenchtown groups join in presenting the evening.
Petit Theatre de Francoise, part of a St. Barth's delegation here for the festivities performed several skits in native patois, which many, but not all, in the crowd understood. Honorary French consul Odile de Lyrot, who is bilingual, said, "I can understand some of it only; there is a huge difference between patios and French." Nonetheless, she was laughing along with the crowd.
The group also preformed lively native dances in costume, very similar to V. I. quadrille dances.
Giselle Richardson handled mistress of ceremonies duties flawlessly, with a humorous nod to her father, Allan, now and then ribbing him for his loquaciousness. She said, offstage, that, "Typical of the Richardsons’, my dad told me at eight yesterday morning that I was doing this."
Jean Greaux, CBC president, and Henry Richardson, FTCO president, kept their remarks short but thanked the large crowd for its support, and thanked the St. Barth's group for its contribution. Allan Richardson erected a small tent as a dressing room for the performers next to the stage.
"Well," said Richardson, "Of course. We have to take care of our guests."
Henry Richardson said, "I want to thank everybody, but my brother has already said everything 39 times already."
The 73rd National Guard was on hand to perform. Allan Richardson noted their number was less than earlier years, as many of them are now deployed overseas. "They have always been here for us," Richardson noted.
Henry Louis, the second mayor of St. Barth's, and spokesman for the performers, presented gifts to de Lyrot and to Sen. Berry, "for her efforts over the past 24 years in keeping our culture alive."
The official evening ended with remarks by deJongh and Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis. The unofficial evening began right after, with dancing in the street, drinks at the concession and music from Berry and the National Guard, which had the earmarks of lasting for a long time.
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