Saint Lucia’s rich cultural heritage was vividly illuminated as the Cultural Development Foundation crowned the winners of the 2025 National Lantern Competition, celebrating artisans whose work blended technical mastery with storytelling deeply rooted in national history.
Lantern making in Saint Lucia dates back generations and is closely tied to the island’s Christmas season and folk traditions.
Historically, handmade lanterns known locally as lanternes were crafted from bamboo, paper, and cloth, then lit with candles and carried through communities during festive gatherings. Over time, the lantern evolved into a powerful cultural symbol, reflecting village life, social commentary, and national pride, while remaining a central feature of Saint Lucia’s Christmas celebrations.
This year’s winners by category are:
- National Category (Seniors)
- Troy Grant – 1st
- Joy Grant – 2nd
- Shaquille Jn. Marie – 3rd
- National Category (Juniors)
- Vide Bouteille Primary School – 1st
- Modern Contemporary Category (Juniors):
- Liam Joseph – 1st
- Amaran Eleanor – 2nd
- Modern Contemporary (Seniors)
- Shaquille Jn Marie – 1st & Best Overall Lantern
- Traditional Category (Junior)
- Augier Combined School – 1st
- Traditional Category (Senior)
- Joy Grant 1st
Speaking at the awards ceremony, CDF Director of Training, Promotion and Development Tracy Dolcy emphasized that this long-standing tradition remains distinctly Saint Lucian. “Watching these lanterns, they are uniquely Saint Lucian,” Dolcy said. “You may see lanterns other places but none of them are quite how we do it and it’s similar to a calypso.”
She explained that lanterns have always functioned as visual storytellers, capturing the lived experiences of the people. “You can tell so many stories, so many things from watching one lantern. The story of our people, the story of a nation, the story of our struggles, the story of our celebration,” Dolcy said. She noted that preserving this tradition is central to CDF’s mandate. “CDF is just always pleased to be able to come and showcase these stories through us.”
Dolcy also thanked the artisans who took part in training sessions and the competition, stressing their role in passing on a tradition that has survived colonial times, social change, and modernization. “I just like to thank everyone who participated for participating in the training, in the competition, and just let us continue to work together to pass on the legacy of lantern making,” she said.
Senior Officer for Community Outreach Tyrone Harris highlighted the modern contemporary category, which reflects how the tradition has evolved over time. While traditional lanterns once focused on village scenes and folklore, contemporary designs now explore abstract ideas and modern themes. “This is the category where we ask our participants to open up their minds, let their creative juices flow, present lanterns or create lanterns that really signify that sense of originality, that sense of the dream,” Harris explained. “So we ask our participants to really explore the depths of their mind.”
Returning to the podium, Dolcy again underscored the importance of participation in keeping the tradition alive.
“Without you, we would have no competition. Without you, we would not be able to actually show the beauty of our culture, a different aspect of it,” she said. She noted that participation in the 2025 competition was at an all-time high and signaled even greater ambitions for the future. “Next year, we’re looking for even bigger and better,” she said, jokingly challenging reigning overall winner Ms. Jn Marie to defend her title.
Dolcy also paid tribute to the Government Information Service for documenting and promoting the event.
“It’s one thing for us to do something, but if a tree falls in the forest and nobody knows, did it fall?” she said, thanking the agency for its continued support.
The 2025 National Lantern Competition stands as both a celebration of artistic excellence and a reaffirmation of a centuries-old tradition, highlighting how Saint Lucia continues to honor its past while allowing creativity and innovation to light the way forward.