Castries, October 29 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Known as Creole Heritage Month, the four-week celebration in Saint Lucia during the month of October is a true cultural extravaganza.

Creole sounds and the smell of Creole food coupled with Madras outfits were in full force for the climax of Creole Heritage Month activities, which are known as 'Jounen Kweyol' or 'Creole Day.'

Large crowds came to the communities on Sunday, October 25th, to be part of the planned activities, organized by the country's Folk Research Center.

The center's Director Hilary La Force says Saint Lucia was fully immersed in the celebration of Jounen Kweyol.

“We want to promote Creole exhibitions, to show our young people what we did a long time ago. A man in (the community of) Laborie was turning wood (an old time game) and it was very interesting to make the young people understand our culture and learn our heritage,” he said, speaking in French-based Creole.

Jounen Kweyol is the biggest activity of the Creole Heritage Month in October.  It is a celebration of Creole music, dance, food, games and language.

Patrons at this year's celebration say Creole culture is alive and well. “I don't know for later, but right now things are looking good. We have the food and all the people are here. People are trying the different things they (the vendors) have,” said cultural enthusiast Mary Francis-St. Aimee.

Creole Heritage Month is a celebration of the melting pot that is French Creole culture.  It is a time that Saint Lucians educate the younger generation about the wonderful days gone by.

For organizers of the events, it is a nostalgic reminder of all the elements that contribute to the identity of Saint Lucians and those countries that share in the Creole culture.

Official Creole Month activities were first launched in 1984 and have grown into the biggest cultural festival on the island and neighboring countries Martinique, Guadeloupe and Dominica.