Dear Editor,

It is with great sadness that the Embassy of France in Jamaica and the Alliance Française de la Jamaïque have learned of the passing of Barbara Gloudon.

Jamaica has lost a broadcaster, journalist, communicator, and playwright extraordinaire and chairperson of the board of Jamaica’s Little Theatre Movement and its famous annual pantomime. The “Universal Republic of Literature”, France, and the French living in Jamaica have lost a dear friend.

Her relationship with France developed with the numerous trips she made to Paris due to her role at UNESCO. There she enjoyed the atmosphere of this capital city of the arts, its food, its people. As a journalist and observer of international issues, she enjoyed long and passionate discussions about the French way of life, history, and culture.

Gloudon was also, for many years, a member of the Comité d’Honneur (Honorary Committee) of the Alliance Française de la Jamaïque, and made an invaluable contribution to our passion for sharing the French language and culture with our Jamaican friends.

I wish to express that we share with her family and all Jamaican people your loss, and want to say, “Merci, Barbara!” for her invaluable contribution to cultural dialogue and friendship between France and Jamaica.

Borrowing a Jamaican saying, from myself and on behalf of all your French admirers, we say, “Walk good, Miss G.”

Olivier Guyonvarch

Ambassador of France to Jamaica