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PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The 66th anniversary of St. Maarten Day was celebrated on Tuesday, November 11th.
This year's celebrations were held on the French side, as it was their turn to host the activities marking the occasion this year.
The day started with an ecumenical service at the Methodist Church in French Quarter. This was then followed by the wreath laying ceremony at the frontier between Dutch Quarter and French Quarter in the morning.
Soon after the wreath laying ritual, dignitaries were transported to in front of the Cultural Center in French Quarter, where they witnessed the parade of the various uniform groups.
After the parade, dignitaries were shuttled to the Thelbert Carty Stadium, where the official ceremony for St. Maarten Day was held and speeches delivered.
On hand for the event were among others, the Prime Minister of St. Maarten, the Honorable Sarah Wescot Williams, the Governor, His Excellency Drs. Eugene Holiday, the president of the Collectivite, Madame Aline Hanson, newly elected Senator Guillaume Arnell, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Patricia Lourens Philip and the Sous Prefer of St. Martin and St. Baths Philip Chopin.
Whilst delivering her address, Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams stressed on the need to continue to work on the corporation between the two sides of the island.
She also indicated that it is very essential that our children enjoy the St. Maarten that we are enjoying today as one people.
It is for this reason she expounded on the need to stand together as one people in an effort to send a clear message to outsiders trying to destroy the unity between the two sides.
President of the Collectivite, Madame Aline Hanson seized the opportunity to talk about the cross border cooperation that is currently being worked on between the two sides. She also told the gathering that it is very important that the two sides grow together and become stronger.
Minister responsible for Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Patricia Lourens Philip stated that the friendship and unity among the people of the North and the South is very much alive.
She remarked: "The family connections that exist, the friendships, the bonds that we have, they know no boundaries and they know no borders. This is what has kept us together for the past 366 years."
The Governor of St. Maarten, His Excellency Drs. Eugene Holiday spoke of some of the many challenges that we face as a country. It is against this backdrop that he noted that we should live no stone on turn in tackling the challenges we face.
Newly elected Senator of French St. Maarten, Guillaume Arnell told dignitaries that there is a need for us to be true to each other.
The day climaxed at the Thelbert Carty Stadium with lots of food, drinks and entertainment. In observation of the day, activities were also held at the Festival Village as well.
Dutch St. Maarten will be hosting the 67th annual St. Maarten Day activities in 2015.
