Opposition Leader Jemar Paul-Victor says news of the death of our national treasure, Cultural icon Dr. Alwin Bully, continues to reverberate in Dominica and throughout the Caribbean. This great Dominican’s contribution to Dominica in arts and culture was vast and immense. Many of the strides our country has made in the arts and in culture over the last five decades can be attributed to the towering intellect, sheer genius, rare talent, and creativity of Alwin Bully,” she said.
He established and developed the Division of Culture and was Dominica’s first Chief Cultural Officer. He designed the national flag at the time of our independence in 1978. He was a costume designer, builder, graphic artist, storyteller, poet, teacher, cultural administrator, and so much more.
At this time of deep sorrow and loss, the Parliamentary Opposition wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to his wife, Anita, his children, Brent and Sade, his extended family in Dominica and overseas, and the Government and people of Dominica.
Meantime, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said in a Facebook post on Saturday morning that the late Alwin Bully established and developed the Department of Culture (Division of Culture) and was its first Director, setting the foundation for the promotion of our country’s cultural art forms.
“As Chief Cultural Officer from 1983 to 1987, he spearheaded the establishment of the National Cultural Council, the Dominica Artists’ Guild, the Writers’ Guild, the Dominica National Pan Association, the Carnival Organising Committee, and the Komité Pou Etid Kwéyòl,” he said.
The Prime Minister continued, “He is credited for leading a vibrant theatre culture in the 1970s, launching the People’s Action Theatre which inspired a long-running theatre movement in Dominica.”
He stated that Bully was also a teacher and Acting Principal at the Dominica Grammar School (1977-78), the Acting Manager of the Dominica Broadcasting Corporation, DBS Radio (1982-83), and Advisor to the Minister of Culture from 2008-2010.
“He was equally impactful at the regional level, serving for over 20 years as UNESCO’s Caribbean Culture Advisor, assisting the Cultural Departments in CARICOM member states to develop their programmes and policies,” Prime Minister Skerrit stated.