The Konmite Pou Etid Kwéyòl (KEK) is observing its 42nd anniversary with the launching of two publications and a video documentary at a ceremony to be held at the Alliance Francaise on Thursday June 1 at 7:00pm.
The publications include a book on learning Kwéyòl entitled Annou Apwonn Kwéyòl and a KEK magazine. The book Annou Apwonn Kwéyòl, funded by the Embassy of France in St.Lucia, features information and exercises in Kwéyòl targeting persons who want to get a basic grasp of Kwéyòl. The magazine features articles on the work of KEK and various aspects of Kwéyòl language and culture.
The video, entitled Kwéyòl in Education, was produced by KEK as part of a project entitled Dominica as a Centre for Excellence for the Preservation and Celebration of the Creole Culture through Language, the Arts and its Indigenous Kalinagos, realized in collaboration with the Cultural Division and the University of Bedfordshire, UK with funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, UK. The video highlights various initiatives in Dominica aimed at promoting the use of Kwéyòl in Education.
The 42nd Anniversary ceremony will also feature the presentation of awards to longstanding KEK members, members who joined KEK from its inception in 1981. Four of the awards will be presented posthumously to members of KEK who have passed on including Marcel Djamala Fontaine, Felix Henderson and Sonia Lloyd and Dr. Alwin Bully. KEK will also present an award to DBS Radio for its contribution in promoting the use of Kwéyòl on radio.
In addition to the anniversary ceremony, KEK is also joining the UWI Open Campus in a tree dedication ceremony in memory of the late Dr. Violet Cuffy, to be held at the UWI Open Campus grounds in the morning that same day.
KEK was created on June 1st, 1981 under the guidance of Alwin Bully who was then Chief Cultural Officer at the Cultural Division. Over the years KEK has promoted Kwéyòl literacy, use of the standard orthography, released several publications including a Kwéyòl dictionary, introduced Kwéyòl Spelling Bee and Choral Speech competitions and introduced special commemorative days such as Jouné Kwéyòl (Creole Day) and Heritage Day.
Currently KEK is developing a Kwéyòl language policy and compiling a new Kwéyòl dictionary. KEK is also collaborating with DBS radio on the production of Mo Kwéyòl (Kweyol Word of the Day), a regular feature on Espwéyans Kwéyòl, DBS’s signature Kwéyòl programme.
