Preliminary Census Results Are In

According to the INSEE (the French Institute for Economic Statistics), the population of St Barth as of January 1, 2007 was 8450 residents. This figure represents a 23.28% increase, or 1596 new residents, since the last census of 1999. This is an average increase of 2.7% per year. The official results of the census, which was taken in January and February, will be released by the end of the year. With the new Collectivity status of the island in effect, the census will now be taken every five years; thus, the next census will take place in 2012.

New Smoking Laws in Effect

On January 1, 2008, the new French smoking laws went into effect on St Barth. It is now forbidden to smoke in any public enclosed place such as restaurants, cafés, hotels, the airport, and nightclubs. If the restaurant has an open-air area (not covered by some type of roof), smoking is allowed. Although I have not seen official documentation to this effect, I have heard that restaurants in violation of the smoking laws will be fined 10,000 €.

La Poste Commemorates the New Collectivity

To commemorate the new Collectivity of St Barth, La Poste designed a pre-stamped envelope with a photo of the Hôtel de la Collectivité and the date of July 15, 2007, which was when St Barth’s new political status became a reality. These commemorative envelopes were presented on August 24, the day of the festival of the patron saint of St Barth. Ten thousand of the pre-stamped envelopes are available for sale at La Poste for 0.90 each. As the first philatelic product of the Collectivity of St Barth, the pre-stamped envelopes could become a collector’s item.

Major Renovation Underway for Hôpital de Bruyn

The Hôpital de Bruyn in Gustavia was built in 1933 and has been long overdue for renovations to bring it up to the standards of a modern hospital befitting the island. Work began on Monday, September 24, with the total cost estimated at 3.5 million euros, and is expected to take 18 months. A new section measuring 500 m2 and consisting of two stories will house an area for local procedures and a pharmacy on the first floor. The second floor will have ten beds for medical patients and seven beds for caring for people on a longer term basis. The original part of the hospital will have space for various activities, such as preparation for childbirth, along with rooms for the personal items of the staff, the administrative offices and a room for get-togethers. The section currently used for emergencies and consultations will remain unchanged.

The Arawak Has Arrived

The bronze statue of the Arawak was erected on August 20 at La Tourmente, the circle at the top of the hill in St Jean that leads to Gustavia, Colombier or Flamands. In 2004, St Barth invited all residents to submit ideas for some type of artwork to grace this spot. In June, 2005, the winner was selected from among 53 submissions. And the winner was a 1.7-meter bronze sculpture of an Arawak Indian, the original inhabitants of St Barth. At the base of the sculpture are an iguana and a pelican – two symbols of the island. The Arawak holds a spear in his right hand and is blowing a conch shell with his left hand. A popular St Barth forum is having a “Name the Arawak” contest, and one suggestion is an Arawak word: "kas-se-qua" meaning “Chief of the Hill or Tribe.” What could be more perfect?

Keeping Traditions Alive

A pirogue, similar to a canoe, has been used since the arrival of the first St Barths. However, this traditional canoe was at risk of disappearing. Fortunately, the Unesco club is involved in the building of a true St Barth pirogue, following the traditional methods. The pirogue is 18 feet long and is made from the trunk of a gommier tree that arrived from Dominica last April 26. The gommier is native to St Barth, but most were destroyed by Hurricane Luis in 1995. The pirogue is awaiting its last coat of paint and will be inaugurated on August 15. It will be on display, but will also be put into the water for events such as the arrival of the Transat Ag2r, the summer beach festivals and regattas, to name a few.