Emilio Wilson
bust unveiled
CUL-DE-SAC--A bust of the late Emilio Wilson was unveiled to a small but appreciative and culturally inclined gathering at Emilio Wilson Historical and Cultural Park on Saturday afternoon as part of the Emancipation Day celebrations.
Commissioner of Culture Louie Laveist, ever-present during the day’s celebrations, pointed out that although this day was not an official holiday yet, it was still a most important day.
He said the late Emilio Wilson had contributed much to the culture and history of St. Maarten and in recognition of this the Executive Council found it fitting to honour this hero of St. Maarten.
Keynote speaker at the unveiling was Josianne Fleming-Artsen, President of the University of St. Martin. She stressed the importance of places of memory because they tend to prompt and nurture recollections of the past.
“We perform these commemorative ceremonies to constitute a theatre of memories,” she said. “Monuments, streets, buildings, churches and parks are all material things, but they evoke specific kinds of meanings and serve as spatial coordinates of identity.”
She said Emilio Wilson had left St. Maarten a material and immaterial heritage. He was born of St. Maarten parents in the Dominican Republic, where he spent his early years. For the rest of his life he lived in St. Maarten on what is now Emilio Wilson Estate.
A tailor by profession, he was industrious and not afraid to carry out other duties, such as agriculturist, milkman, animal keeper and butler. He left his heritage as a friend of many and as confidant of one of the island’s leading families.
“He was principled to keep the owner of this estate to her promise to give him first option. He was principled enough to hold on to property while others were selling and still are selling,” Fleming-Artsen said. “Today we receive and enjoy the heritage he has left. It is so vital that we understand, appreciate and uphold such principles and acknowledge the heritage we have received. For it is in living that we develop and shape the heritage that we leave behind and Mr. Emilio Wilson did just that.”
Acting Lt. Governor Mathias Voges, who is secretary of Emilio Wilson Historical and Cultural Park Foundation, also said a few words before taking the cover off of Emilio’s bust together with Fleming-Artsen.
The bust, sculpted by Michael Maguro of Ikemba Art Gallery, has found a place at the entrance of the park, a place Wilson wanted to stay as nature intended it to be.
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