Dominica’s Flag Day

Flag Day, locally called Jounen Dwapo, is a key event during Dominica’s independence celebrations and National Emblems Week. Celebrated annually in October, it encourages Dominicans at home and abroad to proudly display the national flag as a national pride and identity symbol. The flag, designed by the late cultural icon Dr. Alwin Bully in 1978, is vital to Dominica’s cultural heritage. It features the majestic Sisserou Parrot, symbolizing flight towards greater aspirations, and ten lime-green stars representing the equality and unity of Dominica’s ten parishes.

Flag Day Traditions

On Flag Day, citizens participate in parades, school events, and motorcades to celebrate this important national symbol. 2023 for instance, a motorcade started at the Botanical Gardens and travelled through several schools, encouraging students to engage with their cultural heritage. Flag Day serves as a reminder of Dominica’s rich history and cultural values, reinforcing the importance of its national symbols and their connection to the island’s Cultural Heritage.