At Christmas time, you go to Paramin to parang. On Carnival Monday, you go to see the Blue Devils. But Paramin has a deeper tradition rooted in the soil of our creole existence.

Even today, patois still survives as the first language among the elder folk of the community. The spirit of Carifesta emerged some forty-five years ago. It attempted to define and describe who we are as a Caribbean people.

The people of St Lucia, Dominica, Haiti, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Cayenne visited Paramin and felt culturally completely at home. They all speak a common language – Créole (q wéyol ).

Today the revival of Créole has entered into the liturgy of the Catholic Church. For the past thirteen years, on the Sunday immediately preceding Carnival, visitors share with the Paraminians the beautiful liturgy of the Mass in Créole.

A booklet with the hymns and chants in both Créole and English is provided for each participant. The Paramin Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico and the patroness of the Americas.

Every year, visitors come to the celebrations from countries in Europe , North and South America and the French and English-speaking Caribbean. Once you enjoy the experience, you will always wish to return.

The annual qwéyol Mass takes place on Sunday 26 at 9.30 a.m.