PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Egbert J. Doran has formally submitted a proposal to the Ministers of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) and Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) to explore the establishment of an annual St. Martin Culture Week, an initiative aimed at preserving the island’s cultural heritage while creating new opportunities for tourism and local businesses.
The proposal follows Doran’s remarks during the 2027 Budget debate, where he emphasized the importance of keeping St. Martin’s traditions, history, and cultural identity alive for future generations.
“Our culture is part of who we are, and preserving it should be a shared responsibility,” Doran stated.
The proposed Culture Week would bring together schools, senior citizens, cultural organizations, local businesses and communities for a series of activities celebrating the St. Martin of yesterday and today.
Activities could include old-time storytelling, traditional fishing and agriculture demonstrations, local cooking, local traditional cook-offs, guavaberry making, traditional games, folk music, dance and the sharing of local expressions and customs. Experienced fishermen could demonstrate traditional fishing techniques, while local farmers showcase agricultural practices, traditional crops and methods of growing food. Local cooks and grandparents could also share how dishes such as johnny cakes, saltfish and breadfruit were prepared back in the day. Friendly cook-offs could bring together local chefs, home cooks and families to prepare traditional St. Martin dishes, celebrate treasured family recipes and pass cooking traditions on to younger generations.
A particularly important part of the initiative would be preserving the stories of St. Martin’s elders. Doran believes that many senior citizens carry valuable knowledge about the island’s history and way of life that should be recorded and passed on to younger generations.
Beyond cultural preservation, the MP sees an opportunity to strengthen St. Martin’s tourism product by offering visitors a more authentic island experience.
“Tourists do not visit St. Martin only for our beaches, shopping and restaurants. Many also want to experience our people, understand our history, taste our traditional foods and learn what makes our island unique,” Doran explained in his correspondence.
He believes the initiative could create additional opportunities for local cooks, fishermen, farmers, artisans, entertainers and storytellers while encouraging greater community participation.
Doran stressed that the intention is not to duplicate existing cultural programmes, but to build on what is already available and develop an annual event that residents and visitors can look forward to.
The MP has requested a joint meeting with Ministers Melissa Gumbs and Grisha Heyliger-Marten and their respective departments to discuss the proposal’s feasibility, potential costs, funding opportunities and possible implementation.
“The concept is simple: bring our culture back to life, pass it on to our younger generations, and create an experience that both residents and visitors can enjoy,” Doran stated.
He expressed hope that collaboration between ECYS and TEATT could turn the proposal into a lasting national initiative that celebrates St. Martin’s identity while supporting education, tourism and local economic development.
“Our stories, our traditions and our way of life are part of what makes St. Martin special. We must make sure the next generation gets to experience them, not just hear about them.”
