"In Saint-Barthélemy, the memory of slavery

Since 2012, October 9 has been the official date for commemorating the abolition of slavery in Saint-Barthélemy. In 2023, the first official ceremony of the abolition of slavery was held at Fort Gustav III, under the cheese tree. On this occasion, students from Collège Mireille Choisy laid a plaque to remind the people of Saint-Barth of this part of their history, and to pay tribute to all the victims of slavery. This year, a ceremony is also planned for this date at Fort Gustav III. Once again, the island's children will be involved. The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. with a song by pupils from the Saint-Joseph school in Lorient, followed by poems and a song by pupils from the Gustavia school. The President of the Collectivité will give a speech, as will the Prefect of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin, before laying a wreath at the foot of the plaque. Following the ceremony, the Saint-Barth Héritage association, the Collectivité and the prefecture invite the public to a meeting entitled "A Saint-Barthélemy, la mémoire de l'esclavage" from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Théâtre du Paradis. The free event begins with a screening of Albane Harmange's documentary "L'esclavage, le passé oublié de Saint-Barth" ("Slavery, Saint-Barth's forgotten past").then Swedish historian Fredrik Thomasson, a specialist in colonization in the West Indies, will present his research on slavery in Saint-Barth. A round-table discussion on "How to talk about slavery in Saint-Barthélemy today? "will follow. Speakers will include Jean-Georges Ferrié, archaeologist at INRAP, Elise Magras, head of the territorial archives department, Jerome Montoya, author of the book "Saint-Barthélemy : histoire et généaologie d'une île", Anne Querrard, president of the Saint-Barth Heritage association and Charles Moreau, manager of the Wall House Museum.