The Folk Research Centre (FRC) will recognize the late Harold Simmons, a renowned Saint Lucian archaeologist, cultural researcher, journalist and historian, on the centenary of his birth (1914), during the 5th annual Saint Lucia Studies Conference.

Simmons was mentor to Nobel laureate Derek Walcott, Sir Dunstan St. Omer, Sesenne Descartes and Charles Cadet, among other Saint Lucian literary and cultural icons. He was reognized as a National Cultural Hero in 2005 and seven years later, the FRC established the Harold Simmons Folk Academy.

The Studies Conference will be held under the theme “Discovering Ourselves—Recent Research on St. Lucia.”

Eight presenters will explore a range of topics ranging from Derek Walcott’s drama to St. Lucian pottery; and from experiences of East Indian immigrant children, to the role of Kwéyòl in the legal system.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Merle St. Clair-Auguste, Vice Principal of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Folk Research Centre, and aims to investigate various aspects of Saint Lucian life via the presentation of research papers. The Folk Research Centre endeavours to publish these presentations in print and digital format.

The Studies Conference will take place at the Conference Room of the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), on June 12 - 13, 2014.

Individuals interested in participating are invited to call the FRC at 758.452.2279.