MARIGOT--A naturalisation ceremony in the Préfecture on Thursday saw 34 persons become French citizens. The ceremony is usually held twice a year.
Assisting in handing out the decrees were Préfète Anne Laubies, Vice-President of the Collectivité Rosette Gumbs-Lake, and Commandant Jean-Luc Deras of Police aux Frontières (PAF).
The folder presented to each recipient contained the certificate of naturalisation signed by Prime Minister Manuel Valls, a new birth certificate, the decree, and useful information about France.
Twenty one persons received citizenship by decree and 13 by marriage. The recipients hailed from Haïti, India, Dominica, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Jordan, Canada, Ukraine, Saint Lucia, Colombia, Jamaica, and Spain.
Among the new French citizens was Director of Initiatives St. Martin Active, Marc Chakhtoura, who is Canadian by birth.
Following an introduction given by Préfète Laubies, La Marseillaise, the French national anthem was sung by the gathering.
A further four persons in St. Barths will receive French citizenship in a ceremony planned for a later date.
