PRESS STATEMENT-The Dominica Freedom Party(DFP) joins a mourning family, nation and the rest of the region, as we remember the late Dr. Alwin Bully a great son of the soil who passed on Saturday, March 11, 2023.
Alwin has made an extraordinary contribution to Dominica’s arts and culture, including areas as a groundbreaking actor, playwright, and artistic director. His contribution in these areas extended to the rest of the region where he also made a huge impact in the area of theatre. He can well be described as one of the Region’s finest cultural icons.
He also created a tremendous impact on Dominican society in the areas of education and communication. His artistic and creative skills in the design and building of carnival costumes, as well as his planning and execution of carnival and other cultural activities have left an indelible mark on our nation’s culture. As the designer of our National Flag, Dr. Bully’s artistic legacy has been etched in our county’s history.
He exemplifies what true service to the country and the region is by the manner in which he exhibited a special love and keen interest in the creative arts and cultural advancement at all levels of the people of Dominica and the Caribbean region as a whole.
Dr. Bully also left a great mark on the Caribbean region through his University education at UWI Cave Hill Barbados, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2011.
His attachment to the UNESCO office in Kingston, Jamaica for the Caribbean region, as well as his involvement in theatre in Jamaica, appearances, and performances at Carifesta including Barbados in 1981, will not go unnoticed.
He was a recipient of the Golden Drum award in 1997 and 2021. The Sisserou award of honor was bestowed on him in 1985 by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica for his design of the National Flag as well as the recipient of Q95’s National Hero’s award for his lifetime achievement in Arts, Theatre, and Culture, he epitomized service to humanity in the words of the late Mahatma Gandhi “The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others” Alwin did exactly that.
In recognition of his service to the country and the region, the Dominica Freedom Party will be in full support of the Government of Dominica in affording the late Dr. Alwin Bully the honor of an official funeral and recommend that the appropriate measures should be taken to name a public facility in his memory.
The DFP wishes to extend the deepest sympathy to his wife Mrs. Anita Bully, the children, his siblings, relatives and friends, and the Dominican and regional communities which he served.
Rest in eternal peace, Alwin, our National hero