The celebration of the Saint Barthélemy Feast Day on August 24 was cancelled this year as that date was designated a national day of mourning by French president Jacques Chirac in memory of the victims of the airplane crash in Venezuela that took more than 100 French lives.
On August 16, the news media reported that a Colombian charter plane from the company West Caribbean Airways had crashed in Maracaibo in the Northwest part of Venezuela, with no survivors. The MD-82 carried 152 French citizens from Martinique, an island located to the south of Guadeloupe, plus eight Colombian crew members. The entire population of France, especially the residents of Martinique and Guadeloupe as well as the West Indian community in metropolitan France, was shaken by the loss of this group from Martinique that had gone to Panama on vacation.
More than 25,000 people dressed in black and white, the colors of mourning, paid tribute to the victims during a very somber ceremony that took place on August 24 in the Dillon stadium, the largest sports stadium in Martinique. French president Jacques Chirac attended and was accompanied by Overseas Minister François Baroin. Also present were Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela, Serge Letchimy, the mayor of Fort-de-France, and other political figures. During the ceremony, 160 children placed candles at the base of the altar in the mortuary chapel where numerous floral wreaths were decorated with photos of the 160 victims. Throughout France, all flags on public buildings were flown at half-mast and a special mass was held at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. To aid and support the families involved, the Overseas Minister announced that a request for donations was launched by the Foundation of France.
On August 28, following this accident, which took place in a period where deathly air crashes are multiplying, the director of the civil aviation office published a list if airlines that are not authorized to fly into French territory. Among the five companies cited was Air St. Thomas, an airline that served St. Barth until 2004. In fact, on March 19, 2004 the civil aviation authority decided to suspend the authorization for this airline after several aviation incidents and motor problems encountered during landings on the tarmac at the airport in Saint Jean.
In Saint Barth on the morning of August 24, there was a memorial mass for the victims at the Catholic Church in Gustavia. The next day, the village of Corossol celebrated Saint Louis, their patron saint. The day’s activities included a mass at the foot of a large rock that holds a statue of Saint Louis, and various tournaments (fishing, cards, foosball, beach volleyball), various regattas (laser and traditional sailboats), games on the beach, a champagne toast, a dance concert by young girls from the neighborhood, a raffle, and dancing. The fete of Gustavia was postpone from August 20 and 21 and held instead the following weekend, when the annual event for the island’s senior citizens was also held on August 28. The golden agers met at the school canteen in Gustavia for lunch followed by an afternoon of games and dancing. A fireworks display closed both the fete of Gustavia, the final event in the summer program of festivities on the island.
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
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Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
THE GREAT FISH DEBATE There seems to be a bone of contention among a few of my friends. Fine folks who love some of the finer things in life, such as Dover Sole That flat fish floating in butter and capers. Known in French as Sole Meunière, it is made from what is called in European fisherman ver...
