PHILIPSBURG--Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise held a cultural manifestation in connection with International Peace Day at Philipsburg Jubilee Library’s parking lot on Sunday afternoon.
The manifestation followed a peace symposium for sustainable development and nation-building that took place at University of St. Martin on Friday with guest speaker United Nations Development Plan (UNDP) representative in Trinidad and Tobago Richard Blewitt.
Cultural organizations of various nationalities in St. Maarten displayed their cultures in arts, dances, music, fashion and peace poems during Sunday’s event. Representatives of St. Maarten, Suriname, India, Colombia and Jamaica were among participating nationalities.
Highlight of the event was representatives of different nationalities holding hands around the Peace Monument at the library parking lot to demonstrate peace and unity.
Moderated by Angelique Lake, the manifestation was a showcase of the “rich tapestry of cultural diversity of St. Maarten,” as one of the many speakers said.
Library Director Monique Alberts said the Peace Monument in front of the Library was located in a very appropriate place. “The library actively promotes the mutual understanding between nationalities,” she said.
UNDP representative in St. Maarten Okama Ekpe Brook was among officials addressing the small crowd.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) representative in St. Maarten Marcellia Henry broke a lance for the St. Maarten National Development Plan and called for a peace rally within the community.
