TORONTO:
JAMAICAN CULTURAL treasure, Louise Bennett-Coverley O.J., DLit., MBE, affectionately called Miss Lou, was recently presented with Jamaica's Order of Merit, the country's third highest award.
The announcement of the award was made by Jamaica's Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke during Jamaica's Independence Day celebration in August, but because of husband Eric Coverley's ill health, Miss Lou couldn't attend the National Heroes Day Award presentation ceremony held at Kings House, Jamaica last October.
To honour her groundbreaking involvement in Jamaica's art and culture for more than three decades, Arts and Culture Jamaica and the Consulate General of Jamaica, hosted a reception recently when the award was presented to her. In his welcome and opening remarks to the large gathering, which included several Caribbean nationals and members of the Consular Corps, Consul-General Stewart Stephenson described Miss Lou as a national icon. "Her works have been extended through poetry, story, and songs," he said, adding that she was being honoured for her invaluable and tremendous contributions to the development of Jamaica's folklore and theatre.
Paula de Ronde, president of Arts and Culture Jamaica, said that when she was approached by the Consul-General to host the reception and tribute, it was a double pleasure for her as Miss Lou is also a patron of that organisation.
De Ronde noted that Canada has recently given recognition to Nelson Mandela by making him an honorary citizen, making him the first living person to be so honoured. "I see no reason why our Miss Lou cannot be Jamaica's second living National Hero. (The first was Sir Alexander Bustamante). All of our National Heroes are dead and we want her to be honoured while she is here with us," she said to loud cheers from the audience.
Making the presentation to Miss Lou was Raymond Wolfe, Jamaica's High Commissioner to Canada. "I won't try to find any cliché or superlatives to describe the lady, she is a great Jamaican...may her works live on forever," he said. In her usual jovial manner, Miss Lou thanked all those responsible for the honour bestowed on her, and those who hosted the reception.
