The performing arts component of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts festival will display Saint Lucia’s rich and vibrant heritage.

The arts component of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts festival was introduced in an attempt to infuse vibrancy and diversity into what was once solely a music festival. It now provides a platform for well over 100 Saint Lucian artisans to display their talents side by side with musicians who had exclusively basked in the festival’s limelight in the past.

Public Relations Manager at the Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB), John Emmanuel, said the arts component will take on an equal share of the festival, and provide an international stage to showcase Saint Lucia’s rich cultural heritage.

From fashion to the written word, and from dance to drama, the festival takes an all-encompassing approach to exposing Saint Lucia’s rich and vibrant artistic talents.

This year's Cultural Icon Series pays tribute to Virginia Alexander who left an indelible mark on the dance culture in Saint Lucia.

Drenia Fredrick, Director of Events and Production at the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), said Virginia Alexander and the Les Enfant dancers have left a legacy.

"Some have gone on to become top choreoraphers like Nicole Aubertine and Shakeena Beckford. Taynia Issac. for example, who is ranked 9th in the world, is coming back with five of her dancers. This is top level, top class really high standards."

A week of poetry and spoken word at the Blu Session and a visual arts exhibition are also scheduled.

Derek Walcott’s epic poem, Omeros, will take centre stage during the Arts Night Theatre performance, and the arts segment comes to a close with Saint Lucia Hot Couture.