Arts tribute to Walcott

Last week Friday, the day before a state funeral for him, a memorial tribute was held at the National Cultural Centre in Castries, St Lucia. The tributes to Walcott came in the form of speeches, dance, songs, including in St Lucian creole, steelpan, drumming and a number of poetry readings.

Among those paying homage to Walcott were St Lucia Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, rapso group 3canal’s Wendell Manwarren, St Lucian poet and playwright McDonald Dixon, New York-based pannist Andy Narrell, Ghanian poet Kwame Dawes, St Lucian cultural activist George “Fish” Alphonse, St Lucian poet and playwright Kendel Hippolyte and students from St Mary’s College, Walcott’s alma mater.