(3:1) The Street Parade
The street parade from the Church to Salle des Fetes was a novel experience for us. It involved all groups that performed at the Festival. Fun and excitement filled the air as we queued up and waited. There was an array of colourful costumes and flags, representing the different groups, flying high in the bright sunshine, giving vibrancy to the atmosphere.
Although apprehensive at first, we soon started marching and dancing to the beat of drums, in that hot, hot midday sun, holding up our Jamaican flag with pride and mimicking the other knowledgeable parade performing groups in front of us. The mystic music from the drums and the accompanying dance moves were spiritually liberating. We exchanged friendly greetings with the small crowd lining the route, including the Mayor and other Dignitaries.
It turned out to be an enjoyable, exhilarating and spectacular Caribbean carnival experience.
Street Parade
(3:2) The Awards Ceremony
The Festival culminated with an awards ceremony after the street parade. All participating groups dressed in their vibrant costumes, gathered in the huge hall at Salle des Fetes. On arrival at the hall we were pleasantly welcomed with champagne and canopies and ushered to our seats.
Each group was thanked for their participation in the festival and group leaders were presented with trophies and gifts from a member of the festival organising committee.
This event was a true realisation of the concerted effort in organising the Festival and the sheer numbers of people who took part.
It was so lovely to see the little children on stage dancing the Haute -Taille quadrille at the awards ceremony and to hear that it was to be included in the primary school curriculum in Francois.
The awards ceremony
(3:3)Visit to beach in Sainte-Anne
On our last day we had an unexpected parting thank you from the Mayor of Sainte-Anne. He had arranged for us to spend some time relaxing on the white sandy beach and calm Caribbean Sea at Sainte-Anne.
We excitedly packed our beach wear and picnic lunches and in the early afternoon, set off on an enchanting scenic route to the sea side resort of Sainte Anne.
After swimming in the warm Caribbean sea, we took photographs, ate our lunch, and relaxed in the well-equipped beach houses made available to us.
Later we walked into the small pretty town where we had danced on the 4th Day of the festival, to visit the shops and purchase souvenirs.
This was a pleasant surprise and we loved the relaxing time we were able to spend together.
(3:4) Our Journey back to London
In the late evening of our last day, we said goodbye to members of other dance groups at the Bungalows, and set off to the airport for the night flight to Orly in France. At the airport we bid fond farewell to our charming hosts Fred and Sabrina and departed with the hope that we might see them again soon.
Our journey home was just as eventful as our outward journey. Our flight to Orly Airport was delayed, which meant that we missed the connecting flight from Charles De Gaulle Airport to London. We were rescheduled on 2 different flights into Heathrow.
We arrived home tired, exhausted and glad to be home safely. Some of us had to go to work the next day, whilst others spent the next few days in recovery mode.
With smiles on our faces as we remember that rustic mesmerising Haute – Taille quadrille music, resounding in our heads, we cherished the thought that we had left our mark on the International stage.
(3:5) Concluding thoughts
We were pleased to be invited to Martinique’s 8th Haute-Taille Festival. It was indeed a privilege to take part in such a wonderful programme of events. We felt honoured to be among such an amazing group of people.
The Caribbean sunshine, the company, the exuberance and inter-connectedness we felt with “our Caribbean and Diaspora family” was truly awe-inspiring.
The people of Martinique take their Haute –Taille quadrille seriously. We loved their community festive spirit and cultural appropriation.
This Festival highlighted our shared socio-cultural history and values, evident in the variety, similarity and complexity of quadrille dances performed by the different groups.
It further confirmed the importance of acknowledging and keeping our traditional cultural dances alive, wherever we reside, and preserving them for further generations to uphold.
We wish the city of François success in their plans to include Haute – Taille quadrille in their primary school curriculum.
(3:6) Vote of Thanks
Thanks to the Mayor of François and our hosts Fred Jean-Baptiste and Sabrina Tanda for inviting us to take part in the Festival, and for the warm, friendly and caring attitude extended to us throughout our stay on the island.
Fred’s generosity, patience, understanding and willingness to help us make sense of everything around us were gracious. He didn’t seem fazed by anything even in an emergency!
Thanks to the Mayor of Sainte Anne, who arranged for us to spend some quality time on the beach and swimming in the warm Caribbean Sea, before starting our journey back to London. Thanks to the other participating groups for their friendships, respect, inclusiveness and shared vision.
Thanks to all JANUKA Quadrille dancers without whom this adventure would not have been possible. “Nuf love and Respect” to our group Co-ordinator, Beverley Bogle, whose passion, tireless unstinting work and creativity made this all possible.
We received a letter from the Mayor of Francois and the Town Council and messages from Fred Jean-Baptiste and Sabrina Tanda, thanking us for participating in the Festival. Thank you.
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(3:7) Poem – JANUKA in Martinique – by Pauline Barnes
They say thirteen is an unlucky number
Perhaps it is for some,
And when we piled into the bus that June morning
We didn’t know what was to come.
Travelling to the airport excitedly
And boarding our Air France plane
Saying silent prayers to our creator
Asking for safety there and home again.
The adventure really kicked off
On our arrival in sunny France,
Misunderstandings and poor communication
‘caused us to miss our Press conference and our first dance!
Frantic phone calls across the Atlantic
To secure us a bed and a flight
We weren’t sure of what was happening
So we made plans to camp at Orly for the night.
Our wonderful Fred came up trumps
And secured for us a place to stay,
Well rested and with French breakfast inside us,
We were up in the air and away.
What a meeting! What a greeting!
When we arrived in Martinique
The local dancers turned out
For the Londoners to meet.
A coach ride later and we were outside
Our home for the week – the Bungalows
With manicured lawns, tropical trees, swimming pool
And beautiful flowers on show.
With anticipation, we climb into the coach
It was Wednesday – rum factory day!
We walked round a plantation, went on a mango walk
And finally on our way to the rum tasting display!
There was: white rum, dark rum, Fruit rum, rum punch from the House of Clement
Hours later, Euros poorer, heads lighter, we were off to see more sights…
Observing and learning new quadrille dance styles,
Visiting schools to showcase JANUKA at their very best,
Networking with dancers from the Caribbean and France
Successful days, putting our dancing to the test.
Another highlight of our time in Martinique
Was our visit to the beautiful Sainte Anne,
Dancing and frolicking with locals, being guests of the Mayor
Next day, relaxing on the beach of warm sand.
Well JANUKA was certainly famous
On the island of Martinique,
The only group to be televised
For all the islanders to see
The parade on that Sunday morning was very grand indeed!
The colours, the sunshine, the laughter and smiles,
The warmth and welcome from the locals and the Church
We could have continued parading for miles.
And finally, it was time to say goodbye to wonderful Martinique,
Meeting new people, discovering new places – certainly a week well spent,
Revelling in the experience, we left knowing that
Returning to this beautiful island, was certainly our intent.
(Updated 2025)