 Hello, this is Nation Beat. I am General Norville bringing you this brief on the pulse of our nation and highlights around the heart of St Lucia. The Roots and Soul Festival sets the stage for cultural exchange with Motherland. Farmers are trained to defend the nation against climate change. St Lucia joins the international community in raising awareness for suicide prevention and Creole Heritage Month is launched with a difference. The curtains came down on the Roots and Soul Festival on Sunday as part of St Lucia's Solar Summer Festivals. The event proved an art platform for cultural and heritage exchange between St Lucia and Nigeria. More on that Motherland connection in a moment, first a look at the highlights of the second installment of Roots and Soul with Anisia Antoine. The three-day event kicked off at the Royalton St Lucia Resort and Spa on Friday, August 31st, 2018 and continued with the two main stage events at the Pigeon Island National Landmark on September 1st and 2nd, 2018. The Roots and Soul Festival featured a variety of musicians such as Afropunk artist Yemi Aladeh, dancehall artist Vinnie Mann and concluded with international R&B artists Jharul and Ashanti. It's beautiful, wonderful vibe, I love the energy of the people, they come out to see a good show and last night I was here and I could feel the energy and I could see what I needed to do and see it tonight and I'm also a beautiful crowd and I wasn't expecting this so I just want to pick up to the organizers for inviting us and giving us an opportunity like this. It's huge, we're sharing stage with international stars and it's just amazing, we give thanks. The Roots and Soul Festival in its second year is increasingly providing spin-off benefits to local providers. According to the public relations officer of the events company of St Lucia, the event has shown increased growth from last year. The events company of St Lucia naturally, this is a huge portfolio that we have, we take the responsibility very seriously producing our national events and we have many stakeholders that we have to satisfy. So we're planning, we've been in planning now for a couple of years because the moment we, you know, we're almost planning year one and year two at the same time. So to see it roll out, to see it materialize and to see it be successful, I mean look at how many people are here, people are enjoying themselves, we're getting congratulatory messages coming through, we have international press here, we have local media and we have to say we value our local media because without our local media the information wouldn't get out initially. We have our partners as a penultiatorism authority, we're working closely with them as well in the regional and international markets to promote the Soul Air St Lucia Summer Festival which is the total package. With the great international interest each year, the events company of St Lucia is expecting an even bigger and better event in the years to come. The St Lucia Soul Air Summer Festival 2018 will conclude in October with the St Lucia's Arts and Heritage Month, a celebration of the richness and diversity of St Lucia's cultural, ethnic and artistic heritage. From the Government Information Service, I am Anisia Antoine-Portin. Meantime the events company of St Lucia has embarked on a new initiative, Get Add Enhance in the Soul Air St Lucia Summer Festival Events Catalog. The first is expected to take the form of events and programs tailored to foster the exchange of talents, culture and knowledge with a view of availing nationals to a broader scope of the creative arts. Nigerian singer, songwriter and performer Yemi Aladeh is described as a force to be reckoned with. The artist who graced the stage at St Lucia's Summer Festival 2018 Brits and Soul, partook in a cultural exchange hosted by the events company of St Lucia. The event Nigeria meets St Lucia from Spat, of the events company of St Lucia's goal to bring added value to the Soul Air St Lucia Summer Festival Events Catalog. This, it intends to do by developing ancillary events that seek to engender deeper, more meaningful relationships between the artists brought in to perform at the various events and St Lucia from the groups of various demographics and psychographics. Aladeh highlighted the importance of education in obtaining one's goals and the power of music. I must give the kudos to my mom to be able to finish school, follow through my educational aspirations and still have a career, grow a career as I moved on in life as I grew older. I'll give that to my mom because she said girl do whatever you want to do but just make sure you come home with my grades. If your grades are not correct, me and you enter one trouser. Have you seen two people wear one trouser before? You don't want to see that, especially not with my mom. You know so I had to make sure that I came correct with that and I think she also, with that warning she also taught me how to, in anything I involved myself in, she taught me to make sure that I came out doing my best. The minister for culture and local government, the Honorable Fortuna Belrose explained that the groups to benefit include marginalized youth, students, young women, local musicians of different ages and others. The primary objective is to facilitate an exchange of skill, knowledge and culture, with a view of exposing nationals to a wider scope for the creative arts. That's what we want and that's the kind of exchange that is what this exchange is all about. Getting them to understand that Yemi has achieved that level of success, how did she do it? Parental support, guidance from her mother, you understand listening, obeying, you understand and staying focused, simple ingredients and it's not different to the advice that our parents give us but it's how well we apply what we've taught and the lessons that we learn that will lead us, you understand, to be the stage masters and the successful people in our society. The exchange also served as a teaser to the main event of which the organizers were confident would be a hit. And the cultural exchange Nigeria meets St. Lucia appears to have born fruit. National talent has been identified for potential roles in the creative industry. The cultural exchange appeared to have born immediate fruit. Nigerian singer, songwriter and performer Yemi Aladeb was so impressed with the performance of two St Lucia nationals that she agreed to help them perform with her. The two young men will perform in one of the artist's songs when she caught up and joined them. I think we can have something going because they did it so perfectly well. Please guys, a round of applause for them. They were amazing. To sing my music, to sing it that way, he tried with the accents, he said the you know the English that we speak, the Pijian English we have over there as well. He did an amazing job. That takes a lot of time and you invested that thank you so much. I appreciate that. Chief executive officer of the events company of St Lucia, Thomas Leos highlighted St Lucia's growing interest in African entertainment including film and music. He opined that due to St Lucia's heritage its appetite for varying genres throughout the world is quite healthy. What has also helped I think I think along that way along the way it was but this city station that started playing a lot of African movies and a lot of St Lucia's and I think from Nigeria it's Nollywood right? They call it yeah so you have Hollywood in California, you have Bollywood in India and you have Nollywood in Nigeria and that really fired up St Lucia's appetite not only for for Nigerian films but also Nigerian music. And I want to say Nigeria because sometimes we tend to love Africa as one big country but it's a lot of separate countries so I want to focus on that. So I'm sure some of you remember movies like Mr. Igbo and Disneyland right? Remember that? So it's really thrilled us that we're able to take this long journey. Today the events company of St Lucia has embarked on three such events strategically executed to enhance the value of Solaris in Lucia's summer festival. These include Breakfast with Brandon which was held during the Country and Blues Festival 2017 and Jazz Mexicalo held during the St Lucia Jazz Festival 2018. Jazz Mexicalo featured a series of workshops which was held in collaboration with the Mexican Embassy. Another was Carin with Caroline which featured Caroline Malikai for the St Lucia Jazz Festival 2018. St Lucia will join the rest of the world in observing World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, 2018. Miguel Moristet reports. The World Health Organization estimates that over 800,000 people die by suicide each year. That's one person every 40 seconds. World Suicide Prevention Day is held every year to raise awareness and work towards the common goal of preventing suicide. As part of this observance, St Lucia National Mental Wellness Center will play its part by hosting several activities. Here we have a number of initiatives planned from the 3rd to the 7th of September on the ground floor of the Ministry of Health. There will be a table where persons can come and be screened for different mental health conditions, be screened for the level of suicidal thoughts that they're having, if they're having any, and if they do have some distress from those questions they can be referred to the to the adequate agency. On the 9th of September we will be having a church service at the Bethel Tabernacle at 10 a.m. where persons can attend. We are especially inviting persons, families of persons who have been bereaved by suicide to attend and to share with us on this important day. On Monday the 10th from 10 a.m. there will be a mental health fair at Constitution Park where persons again can come to be screened for different mental health conditions, receive information on suicide and suicide prevention, and as well as information on the national health plan and how that can be accessed. On the 9th of September 10th we are encouraging persons to light a candle near a window at 8 p.m. in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day and by doing that they will be showing support for persons who have been bereaved by suicide as well as showing support for suicide prevention around the world. Gilead said there is help for persons who see suicide as a viable option to their problems. We would like persons to know that the national health plan is available 24 hours a day. Persons can call from any phone. The call is free. The number is 203 and there are always persons there waiting to assist with persons who are having difficult times and who may see suicide as a viable option. The callers will be transferred or will be referred to persons who can assist them to to get through those difficult times so that the suicidal thoughts which can be distressing can be dealt with. The 2018 theme for Suicide Prevention Day is Working Together to Prevent Suicide. From the Communication Unit in the Ministry of Health, Miguel Morris said reporting. This is Nation Beat, still to come the many ways to enjoy the mango fruit. I am a woman who demands to be respected. I am a man who respects women. I am a woman who won't apologize for my accomplishments. I am a man who celebrates the successes of women. I am a woman who knows that this mind and body are mine. I am a man who values a woman's body and mind. I am a woman who is not asking for it. I'm a man that stands up and speaks out. I am a girl who will not live in fear. I am a boy who does not intimidate. I am a girl who refuses accept discrimination. I am a boy who treats everyone equally. I am a girl who respects myself. I am a boy who respects myself. I am a girl with a voice. So next time a woman is victimized, remember I am a woman a man a girl a boy who stands up. Who are you? Worldwide, one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds. For each suicide, approximately 135 people suffer in tense grief or are otherwise affected. Every life lost represents someone's partner, child, parent, friend or colleague. Annually, September 10th is observed as Suicide Prevention Day. The theme for 2018 is Working Together to Prevent Suicide. This year, we are asking persons to light a candle near a window at 8 PM on September 10th to show their support for the families and friends of persons who have died by suicide and to let those people who are contemplating suicide know that help is available to them. Anyone contemplating suicide or persons who know of someone contemplating suicide can call the National Helpline at 203 from any phone at any time. The call is free. Let us all work together to prevent suicide. This message is brought to you by the Department of Health and Wellness and this station. The recently held 2018 St. Lucia Mango Festival has been held as a success by organizers and patrons alike. Geraldine B said Joseph reports that the idea behind the event was not only to highlight the diverse uses of the fruit but to detail the climate change project implemented by the Government of St. Lucia centered around the plant. The 2018 Mango Festival was a family-focused event that introduced those who attended to an array of ideas concentrated around the many ways in which the fruit of the mango plant can be used. Information on hand also gave insight into the project implemented by the Government of St. Lucia by way of the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Global Climate Change Alliance, OECS, where farmers are engaged in mango planting techniques that aid in soil conservation. The Forestry Department is the implementing agency so they're supervising the planting of about 6,000 mangoes in various vulnerable areas. So certain areas were selected, especially vulnerable watersheds. The plant is very beneficial in stabilizing slopes and rivers because of its deep tarp root system. So it has been found through studies that it is very good at with standing strong winds and heavy water flows in the river. So it's very good at stabilizing the river banks and the slopes. The educational officer went on to say that the festival was only one of the ventures held as a means as an outlet for the farmers' wares, as links to processors have been made to ensure economic gain for the agriculturalists. So now we have all this fruit, what do we do with it? Okay, we need to so farmers are now liaising with processors through the Ministry of Agriculture for processing of mangoes so they'll have a place to sell their mangoes and further avenues are being looked at for exportation of these mangoes. They'll not just have mangoes on the line and all that fruit. Yes, it stabilizes the soil, yes it increases soil fertility. It does all of that, but they also want to see the economic benefit and that is also part of the project and where they have that kind of synergy and connection. Organizers have stated that plans for the hosting of a follow-up event are in the pipeline. For the Government Information Service, I am Jolene Bisa Joseph, reporting. The Monsignor Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre has launched the calendar of events for the highly anticipated Creole Heritage Month. Major changes to the annual celebration have been announced with a concerted effort towards decentralizing the flagship event, the Jone Quayol, more from Jacques Hinson Compton. The Folk Research Centre or FRC unveiled plans to completely overhaul Creole Heritage Month 2018 in a recent press briefing. The theme for Creole Heritage Month 2018 is Dekuve Sentlici Dekuve Kao. Discover Saint Lucia, discover yourself. With free decades of experience and feedback from the people of Saint Lucia on Jone Quayol experience, this year the Folk Research Centre is attempting a new approach based on discovering different parts of our country with their rich, natural and cultural heritage. Community participation for select events, culminating in a grand national celebration of Saint Lucia creativity on Jone Quayol October 20th. According to the FRC Chairman, specific events were selected for the communities of Souffret, Choiselle, Bellevue, Monropo, Die Four and Marsha. Events coordinator at the FRC, George Fischal Fonds, passionately highlighted the importance of celebrating the island's rich cultural heritage and history. What are you celebrating? Fish? What are we celebrating? Lucianness, our nation, Nuka Dekuve Sentlici, all its tropical splendor, flora and fauna, says Saint Lucia that we are celebrating. Our heritage, Creole language, La Vie Quayol, Lucian cuisine, Fidvek et Lamoui, Bouillon, Faouenek Zaboka, Ditekako, that we're celebrating. Choiselle, crafters, porters, says Saint Nuka celebrate. Our icons, our people, Fielmo, Memakume Parfini, Nuka celebrate the first season, Floreta, Liza, Mohol, Frank, Adley, Dudu, Lenards, Labord, Wo-wo, Ives, Derrick, Roddy, Saint Thomas, Harold Siemens, Coco Charles, John Compton, says Saint Nuka celebrate, that we're celebrating. Director of events and production at the CDF, Drenia Frederick, says our organization is responsible for three components of Heritage Month, the Icon Series, the La Margarite Festival and the Creole Market. This year for the Icon Series, the icon which is chosen in the hearing advance is Ramu Polio, and it is strength, song and dance. And our rationale for doing that is really a celebration of worthy individuals who have made a significant contribution to arts and culture in the show. It is to also highlight excellence as part of our cultural and historical footprint that marks the achievement of our people. One of the key points to be taken from the press briefing is that Creole Heritage Month 2018 will be more decentralized. From the Government Information Service, I am Jacques Kingston Compton. The Fist of La Rose is one of two rival floral festivals of Saint Lucia. On Wednesday, the celebration commenced with a church service at the Mon Rippo Catholic Church and was followed by a march to the Mon Rippo Primary School. For us as a ministry, we very heartily, with what we saw today, a number of young people, a number of young Chantwells coming out of the various communities, and that's what we need to continue to build on and work with the Cultural Development Foundation in trying to ensure that we build on what we have. As you know, this is our culture, this is who we are and so the important thing for us is to continue to provide the support to enable it to flourish, to understand and grow in the way that it ought to. So we're quite happy to be here and we're happy to see the number of groups, 10 groups around the country, participating. It can be bigger but there's work to be done in terms of mobilizing and ensuring that all communities are a part of this. The festival attracted groups from Blusher, Bellevue, Labry, Dennery, Castries, Viewfort, Moshi, and Deriso. The costumes featured military and professional wear, including judges, policemen, nurses, doctors, and soldiers. The Feast of La Rose is celebrated on August 40th every year, reporting from the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Empowerment, Youth Development, Sports, Culture, and the local government, I am Chevrolet Marius. And that's how we end the premiere edition of Nation Beat. Until next time, I am General Norville.