The Loto du Patrimoine 2026 is more than just a list of endangered monuments. For the Caribbean territories, this selection highlights three sites that each bear a sensitive part of local history: the Maison de l’historien Lacour in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, the former mill of the Loyola dwelling in Rémire-Montjoly, French Guiana, and the church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation in Gros-Morne, Martinique. The French Ministry of Culture has selected them as one of the 18 emblematic regional sites for the 2026 edition.
Why the Loto du Patrimoine 2026 is important for the Caribbean
For a media attentive to the Caribbean, this selection has a particular significance. It shows that the Loto du Patrimoine 2026 doesn’t just fund technical worksites: it also supports places that structure collective memory, urban identity, historical narratives and cultural transmission. Since 2018, the Mission Patrimoine lottery has raised over 210 million euros and supported 1,080 sites; 70% of projects have now been saved or are on the verge of being saved, and 500 worksites have been completed.
In this context, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Martinique appear as three very different but complementary cases. One relates to intellectual and urban history, the other to the plantation economy and archaeology, and the third to the persistence of a religious heritage marked by natural disasters. It is this crossover that gives the Loto du Patrimoine 2026 its real significance in the Caribbean.
Guadeloupe: Auguste Lacour's house, a heritage challenge for Basse-Terre
In Basse-Terre, the Loto du Patrimoine 2026 awards the Maison de l’historien Lacour, a house linked to Auguste Lacour, a major figure in Guadeloupean history. It’s a small, modest colonial building, similar to a Creole hut, but now badly damaged and at risk of advanced deterioration. The project involves not only the complete restoration of the house, but also the ashlar fountain, the wrought-iron gate and the vegetable garden. Work is scheduled to start in the second half of 2026, with completion scheduled for December 2027.
The interest of this site goes far beyond the mere preservation of an ancient building. The house has been used for a number of purposes: as a historian’s residence, as a birthplace, then as an interpretation center within the framework of the Ville d’Art et d’Histoire label. Listed as a historic monument in 2016, the house and its surroundings could be used for a tourism or cultural project in the future, helping to revitalize Basse-Terre’s town center. With this in mind, the Loto du Patrimoine 2026 also acts as a lever for urban reactivation.
French Guiana: Loyola, a mill at the heart of a wider history
In French Guiana, the Loto du Patrimoine 2026 focuses on the former mill of the Loyola dwelling in Rémire-Montjoly. The aim is to restore the entire mill, including its wind intake, transmission and grinding mechanisms. Work is scheduled to start at the end of 2026 and be completed in 2027.
But the real strength of this site lies in its historical depth. The Loyola dwelling, acquired by the Jesuits in 1668, is presented as the largest slave dwelling in French Guiana. The mill is therefore not an isolated vestige: it is part of a whole that sheds light on sugar production, colonial organization and the reality of slave labor. Since 1994, archaeologists have been studying the site, part of which remains to be discovered. The Loto du Patrimoine 2026 gives visibility to a site where built heritage, colonial memory and historical research meet in a very direct way.
Martinique: in Gros Morne, the urgent need to save a weakened church
In Martinique, the site selected for the Loto du Patrimoine 2026 is the Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation church in Gros-Morne. Built in 1743, it has been closed to the public since 2016 and no longer complies with paraseismic standards since it was weakened by the earthquake of September 29, 2009. The announced works will secure the main nave and aisles, restore the two sacristies and the forechoir, as well as the choir and nave enclosure. Start-up is scheduled for summer 2026, with completion scheduled for 2027.
Here again, heritage interest goes far beyond religious architecture. Today’s parish is the result of successive reconstructions after cyclones, earthquakes and other hazards. Its history reflects that of a Martinican society forced to constantly adapt its heritage to the island’s natural realities. Against this backdrop, the Loto du Patrimoine 2026 awards a building that embodies both faith and resilience.
Three territories, three interpretations of heritage
By selecting Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Martinique, the Loto du Patrimoine 2026 is in fact drawing up three ways of thinking about heritage in the French Caribbean region: preserving a literary house in the heart of a town, restoring a major vestige linked to the history of slavery and the sugar industry, and saving a church marked by the ravages of time and nature. This trio reminds us that a monument only has meaning if it remains legible for local residents, useful for the region and capable of transmitting a complete history, even in its most difficult areas.
In the French Caribbean, three territories are involved in the Loto du Patrimoine 2026: Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Martinique. These three sites are included in the official list of 18 emblematic regional sites announced by the French Ministry of Culture.
In Guadeloupe, the chosen site is the Maison de l’historien Lacour in Basse-Terre. The project involves restoring the house, the ashlar fountain, the wrought-iron gate and the kitchen garden. Work is due to start in the second half of 2026, with completion scheduled for December 2027.
The former mill of the Loyola dwelling in Rémire-Montjoly is a major heritage site, bearing witness to the history of sugar production, the Jesuit presence and the slave system in French Guiana. The Fondation du Patrimoine points out that the Loyola dwelling, acquired in 1668 by the Jesuits, is considered to be the largest slave dwelling in French Guiana. The selected project aims at a complete restoration of the mill and its mechanism.
In Martinique, the selected site is the Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation church in Gros-Morne. Built in 1743, it has been closed to the public since 2016 and was weakened by the earthquake of September 29, 2009, making restoration work particularly urgent.
The Loto du Patrimoine 2026 is used to provide financial support for monuments and sites in peril identified throughout France, including overseas territories. The Mission Patrimoine scheme, launched in 2018, has already supported 1,080 sites since its inception, with 500 worksites completed and 70% of projects saved or in the process of being saved.
On March 25, 2026, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that marks a milestone in the international recognition of the history of slavery. The text qualifies the transatlantic African slave trade and racialized chattel slavery as the most serious crime against humanity. The text, sponsored by Ghana, was adopted by 123 votes in favor, with 3 against and 52 abstentions. Opponents included the USA, Argentina and Israel, while several European countries, including the UK, chose to abstain. Behind this strong wording is more than just a symbolic gesture. For the Caribbean, this decision is part of a historical and political continuity, echoing decades of work, demands and struggles for fairer recognition of this memory.
Recognition that redefines the international debate
By classifying slavery as a major crime against humanity, the UN has crossed a threshold rarely reached by international bodies. This recognition does not create an immediate legal obligation for States, but it profoundly alters the framework of global debate. It introduces a more explicit reading of history, in which the transatlantic slave trade is no longer merely evoked as a past tragedy, but as a crime whose consequences continue into the present.
This evolution in international discourse is not insignificant. It comes at a time when issues relating to colonial legacies, structural discrimination and historical inequalities are taking on increasing importance in public debate. By taking a clear stance, the UN is helping to legitimize the analyses long put forward by Caribbean researchers, institutions and cultural players, who stress that the history of slavery cannot be dissociated from contemporary realities.
The Caribbean, at the heart of history and current issues
For the Caribbean territories, this decision is more than just a historical observation. It has a direct bearing on their very construction. The transatlantic slave trade and the slave system have shaped the region’s economies, societies, languages and cultures. Plantations, land structures, social hierarchies and even some of today’s economic dynamics have their roots in this period.
Recognition by the UN thus confirms a reality that the Caribbean has never ceased to bear: that of a founding history, the effects of which are still visible. It also repositioned the region in the global narrative, not as a peripheral space, but as a central territory in the understanding of the great historical transformations linked to slavery and colonization.
This international recognition also offers a strategic opportunity. It strengthens the capacity of Caribbean territories to influence global discussions on memory, justice and reparations. It gives added legitimacy to the steps already taken by certain regional institutions, which have been working for several years to structure concrete proposals on these issues.
Reparations and memorial justice: a new dynamic
One of the most important effects of this resolution concerns the issue of reparations. By classifying slavery as a major crime against humanity, the UN opens the way to more structured discussions on forms of restorative justice. This includes avenues such as official apologies, the restitution of cultural property, the funding of educational programs and public policies aimed at correcting the inequalities inherited from this history.
In the Caribbean, these issues are not new. They are part of a long-standing process, driven in particular by regional initiatives seeking recognition of the lasting consequences of slavery. The UN decision does not create a binding framework, but it changes the balance of power by giving international support to these claims.
It can also encourage better structuring of remembrance policies. In many regions, the transmission of the history of slavery remains uneven and sometimes fragmented, despite the fact that it is central to understanding today’s societies. UN recognition can serve as a lever to strengthen educational programs, support research and enhance the value of places of remembrance.
Recognition that also reveals tensions
The vote on this resolution highlights persistent differences within the international community. While a large majority of States supported the text, certain oppositions and abstentions show that the issue remains sensitive. The reservations expressed relate in particular to the political and historical implications of this qualification, as well as to the consequences it could have in terms of reparations.
These tensions are a reminder that there is no absolute consensus on the recognition of slavery as a major crime. It remains a subject of debate, where diplomatic stakes, historical responsibilities and economic considerations are intertwined. For the Caribbean, this situation confirms that the battle for full recognition of this history is still ongoing.
Rethinking the Caribbean narrative on a global scale
Beyond the political stakes, this decision offers an opportunity to redefine the way the Caribbean is told internationally. All too often reduced to a simplified tourist or cultural image, the region has a complex history marked by violence, resistance and reconstruction.
The UN’s position puts this history back at the center of the global narrative. It invites us to consider the Caribbean not only as a space of memory, but also as a place of intellectual and political production. The region’s reflections on slavery, colonization and their consequences continue to inform contemporary debates far beyond its borders.
For a medium like RichèsKarayib, this news underlines the importance of offering a demanding, contextualized reading of the Caribbean territories. It reminds us that the region’s culture, history and economic issues are deeply intertwined, and must be approached in their entirety.
Turning recognition into leverage
The real impact of this resolution will depend on the actions that follow. International recognition is a step forward, but it is not enough on its own to bring about concrete change. For the Caribbean, the challenge now is to transform this decision into a lever for action, by strengthening cooperation, structuring public policies and consolidating research and transmission initiatives.
The UN has set an important milestone by classifying the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as a major crime against humanity. For the Caribbean territories, this recognition represents an opportunity to advance essential debates linked to their history and development. It opens up a new way of thinking about international relations, by fully integrating the legacies of the past into the construction of the present and the future.
The UN decision adopted on March 25, 2026 recognizes the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as the most serious crime against humanity. It aims to affirm the historical gravity of these events, and to encourage international discussions on remembrance, justice and reparations.
No, this UN resolution is not legally binding. It does not impose direct obligations, but it does have a strong political and symbolic impact that can influence international discussions and public policy.
The Caribbean has been deeply marked by the transatlantic slave trade and slavery. This recognition by the UN validates a historical reading that has long been held in the region, and can support initiatives linked to remembrance, education and reparations.
The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie has published a figure that reshuffles the deck in the global language debate: 396 million people now speak French. With this total, the French language in the world rises from 5th to 4th position behind English, Mandarin and Spanish, but ahead of standard Arabic. This is more than just an announcement. It marks a fundamental change in the place of French on the international stage, and confirms that the language continues to make headway in strategic areas such as education, economic exchanges, digital technology and cultural mobility.
Global progress changes the narrative around French
For years, French has often been portrayed as a language of great influence, but weakened in the face of global competition. The OIF’s 2026 report introduces an important corrective. The French language in the world is not only holding its own: it is gaining ground in terms of the number of speakers and international visibility. Moving up to 4th place in the world ranking not only gives it strong symbolic weight, but also political, educational and economic weight. A language that rises in the world rankings is not simply a language handed down by heritage; it’s a language that continues to be learned, used, relayed and invested in.
French should not be analyzed solely as an institutional or diplomatic language. It remains a language of concrete circulation, spoken, taught, worked on and adapted to very different contexts. The French language in the world today is driven by demographic and social realities that go far beyond the European framework, and this is precisely what the 2026 report highlights.
396 million speakers: what this figure really means
The figure of 396 million must be read with care. It refers to a linguistic community spread over the five continents and not a homogeneous block. This means that French continues to exist in a wide variety of contexts: as a mother tongue for some, as a language of instruction for others, and as an administrative, professional, cultural or communication language in multilingual societies. This diversity is at the heart of the French language in the world as it really exists in 2026.
This fact also has a strong editorial impact. It reminds us that we can no longer speak of French as a language confined to a single territory or a single national history. French circulates in very different spaces, with multiple uses and its own dynamics. It is this plurality that is its strength today. So the figure of 396 million doesn’t just tell of an increase; it tells of the geographical, social and cultural scope of a global language.
Africa, the decisive center of gravity for the French language worldwide
One of the key findings of the 2026 report is the importance of the African continent. The OIF states that 65% of French speakers live in Africa. This proportion alone is enough to shift the focus. The future of French is no longer being played out primarily in the areas where it has long concentrated its institutional prestige; it is now being played out in young, numerous, urban, creative African societies, with profound educational and economic issues at stake.
This reality forces us to rethink old ideas. Talking about french language around the world without acknowledging the central role of Africa would be to miss the main point of the report. The growth of the French language today depends not only on powerful demographic dynamics, but also on the ability of African education systems, media, cultural industries and French-speaking economies to maintain and expand the use of French. The report’s focus on Africa is not a footnote; it is a structuring element.
A language that's also moving forward through schools, digital technology and business
The 2026 report points out that French is the 2nd most widely-learned foreign language in the world, with almost 170 million learners, confirming its importance in education systems and its appeal well beyond the French-speaking world… It is also listed as 4th most popular language on the Internet and 3rd language of business and economics. These factors give substance to the figure of 396 million: they show that the growth of the French language is based not only on demographics, but also on learning, digital uses and the professional value of the language.
This data is extremely important today. A world language doesn’t just exist through its past or its official status. It also exists through its ability to remain visible in search engines, digital content, educational networks, platforms, commercial exchanges and working environments. The report therefore suggests a more comprehensive reading: the The French language continues to be of practical use around the world, which helps to explain its resilience and progress.
2050: why do IOF projections already count today?
The report’s other strong point is its projection for the coming decades. The IOF estimates that, on current trends, French could be spoken by 590 million people in 2050 including 9 out of 10 in Africa. This is not a mechanical certainty, but a projection based on observed dynamics. It highlights a central issue: the future progress of French will depend less on symbolic rhetoric than on policies for education, training, transmission and access to content.
In other words, the future of the French language in the world is more than just a flattering ranking. It depends on very concrete decisions: quality of teaching, presence of French in career paths, adaptation to digital uses, cultural and media production, the place of the language in student and economic mobility. The 2026 report therefore gives a positive signal, but this signal remains linked to conditions of consolidation.
What the 396 million figure really says
TheOIF ‘s 2026 report not only delivers an impressive total. It redraws the mental map of contemporary Francophonie. 396 million people speak French; the language is moving up the world rankings; its African roots are strengthening; and its weight in learning, the digital world and the economy remains significant. Taken together, these elements provide a more accurate picture of the French in the world: an international language, diverse, in transformation, and still capable of widening its scope.
For a media outlet, a cultural player, an educational institution or a company, this observation has a clear consequence: French should not be seen as a language of retreat, but as a language of the future, provided it is considered in all its geographical and social diversity. This is where the real interest of the 2026 report lies: behind the number lies a reshaping of the global linguistic landscape.
According to the report The French language in the world 2026 published by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, 396 million people around the world now speak French. This is an important figure, as it shows that the French language retains real international weight and continues to make inroads into the global linguistic landscape. It is not just a language inherited from a shared history between several countries, but one that is still transmitted, learned and used in very different educational, economic, administrative and cultural contexts.
According to the OIF, French is now the 4th most widely spoken language in the world, behind English, Chinese and Spanish, and ahead of standard Arabic. This change in rank is significant, as it reflects a concrete evolution in the place of French on a global scale. This ranking reinforces the idea that French remains a major international language, present in many fields, and that it should no longer be considered as a purely institutional or heritage language.
The growth of the French language can be explained by a number of complementary factors. Firstly, the language benefits from a strong demographic dynamic in several French-speaking countries, particularly in Africa, where the majority of French speakers now live. Secondly, French continues to play an important role in education, international cooperation and certain economic sectors. The OIF also points out that French remains the 2nd most widely-learned foreign language, with almost 170 million learners, showing that it continues to attract people far beyond the territories where it is an official language.
Facing an illuminated 6,000 TEU vessel operating in the middle of the night, on the ninth floor of the Poséidon, with a bird’s eye view of the Fort-de-France terminal, the launch of the PCRF XL maritime service supported by CMA CGM offered a revealing scene of the transformation underway.
Under the terminal’s spotlights, port straddlers and containers move to the rhythm of night-time operations, providing a glimpse of the logistical infrastructure that links Martinique to the rest of the world on a daily basis.
But behind this port mechanism lies a broader question: what if these new maritime routes, beyond transporting goods, were also helping to redefine the place of Caribbean territories in the region’s economic and cultural exchanges?
On a regional scale, these connections could also facilitate the organization of traveling exhibitions, as well as the transport of works, instruments or audiovisual productions between islands – a logistical reality often decisive for cultural projects in the Caribbean.
Supported by CMA CGM, the PCRF XL service is part of a gradual transformation of maritime links between Europe, the French Caribbean territories, the regional Caribbean and Latin America.
Over the past twenty years or so, the vessels operating on these routes have undergone several major changes: from 1,700 TEU units until 2006, then 2,200 TEU vessels, followed by 3,500 TEU vessels, to the 6,000 TEU container ships now deployed by CMA CGM since 2026.
This increase in capacity illustrates a change in scale. It also accompanies a broader ambition: to strengthen the position of the French Caribbean territories in the major maritime flows linking Europe, Latin America and the entire Caribbean basin, as part of a strategy supported in particular by CMA CGM.
A strategic position between the Caribbean and Latin America
This strategy is largely based on the region’s geographical position. Situated close to the major shipping routes linking Europe, North America, Latin America and the Panama Canal, Martinique and Guadeloupe occupy a pivotal position between several economic areas, a position also emphasized by CMA CGM in its logistics analyses…
As Guillaume de Chastellux reminded us at the project presentation:
“The West Indies are the gateway to the Caribbean. We’re at the crossroads of Latin America, facing the Panama Canal with its opening onto the Pacific Ocean, and with Europe and the Mediterranean on the other side.”
In this context, the modernization of port infrastructures and the arrival of larger vessels are not just technical developments. They are also helping to reposition the French Caribbean territories in regional and even international trade.
The maritime hub project led by CMA CGM in partnership with the Grands Ports Maritimes de Martinique et de Guadeloupe aims to increase the overall transhipment capacity of the two islands to approximately 300,000 TEU per year 68,000 today.
Looking at opportunities on a regional scale
In addition to infrastructure, CMA CGM’s management team emphasized the regional dimension of this development at a presentation organized by CMA CGM.
Guillaume de Chastellux put it explicitly:
“I absolutely invite all our customers and partners to get out of their territory and look at the opportunities in the region – trade, industry, processing, re-export, consolidation of goods. The whole field of possibilities is very broad.”
This invitation to broaden horizons refers directly to the regional dynamics of the Caribbean and Latin America. In this area, made up of archipelagos, coastlines and continental territories, the sea remains a central vector for trade, a fact that CMA CGM regularly emphasizes in its regional development strategies…
Strengthening maritime connections can not only facilitate trade flows, but also encourage new cooperation between territories.
Territorial and cultural roots
While the logistical dimension of the project is central, the event also served as a reminder that the Group’s actions are part of a wider territorial environment. Through its foundation and local initiatives, CMA CGM supports a number of social, cultural and environmental projects in the French Caribbean territories.
These commitments include support for the Yole ronde de Martinique a nautical discipline emblematic of Martinique’s maritime heritage and a living symbol of the relationship between the sea and the island’s identity.
The Group also supports professional integration initiatives for young people, notably through programs run with the RSMA. The company is also involved in a number of solidarity initiatives with local organizations such as the Food Bank and the Red Cross. This commitment is complemented by environmental initiatives, notably to preserve the mangrove swamp.
A new stage in Martinique's maritime role
Today, three CMA CGM shipping lines serve the port of Fort-de-France. On the horizon 2027 this number is expected to rise to six lines as part of a wider network of some nineteen lines operating in the Caribbean zone. This development could strengthen Martinique ‘s position in regional trade, facilitating connections between the Caribbean islands, Central and South America and Europe.
As these connections develop, another question arises: how these new maritime routes could, in time, also contribute to the wider influence of Caribbean territories in the region and beyond.
The Caribbean lies at the crossroads of major shipping routes linking Europe, North America, Latin America and the Panama Canal. Improved maritime connections can therefore facilitate trade, strengthen regional economic relations and increase the flow of goods between the islands and neighboring continents.
The PCRF XL service aims to modernize maritime links between Europe, the French Caribbean territories, the regional Caribbean and Latin America. The use of 6,000 TEU vessels will increase transport capacity and improve logistics efficiency in the region.
Their geographical position at the heart of the Caribbean basin is a strategic advantage. Located between Europe, Latin America and the shipping routes of the Panama Canal, they can serve as transshipment hubs for redistributing goods to neighboring islands and regional markets.
From March 25 to 29, 2026, Guadeloupe will host the 9ᵉ edition of the Nouveaux Regards Film Festival 2026. In less than a decade, the festival has become one of the major events in contemporary Caribbean cinema. Since its inception in 2017, the festival has established itself as an essential platform for new cinematic writing from the region, while promoting exchanges with international creation.
This new edition promises to be a highly anticipated one. With short-film competitions, original screenings, immersive features and professional programs, the Nouveaux Regards Film Festival 2026 confirms its role as a creative laboratory for emerging Caribbean filmmakers.
A 2026 poster combining urban poetry and Caribbean identity
To accompany this ninth edition, the organizers have unveiled an official poster signed by multi-disciplinary visual artist Shahine Héry. The image, from her series Lapwent created in 2025 in Pointe-à-Pitre, captures a fragile moment between the fading night and the dawning day.
In the photograph, a man appears seated on the tip of a building, suspended between reverie and contemplation. The scene evokes a moment of introspection, but also a feeling of freedom and openness. This visual composition speaks directly to the identity of the Nouveaux Regards Film Festival 2026, which seeks to propose new narrative and artistic perspectives.
The city of Pointe-à-Pitre, the beating heart of Guadeloupe, serves here as a symbolic backdrop. The image reflects the urban realities, historical struggles and contemporary aspirations of Caribbean society. This sensitive, engaged dimension is perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the festival, which highlights singular views of the world.
A festival that has become a benchmark for Caribbean cinema
Since its first edition in 2017, the Nouveaux Regards Film Festival 2026 has pursued a clear ambition: to provide a stage for filmmakers who are renewing the narrative and aesthetic forms of Caribbean cinema.
The festival focuses on several major themes:
- – an official competition devoted to short fiction films
- – out-of-competition screenings
- – a VR Room dedicated to immersive experiences
- – the NR Academy a program for professionals in the audiovisual sector
This approach supports emerging talent while building bridges with the international film industry. Over the years, the event has established itself as a place of discovery for Guadeloupe audiences, as well as a meeting place for directors, producers and programmers from all over the Caribbean.
Program 1: seven short films in competition
The short film competition is one of the highlights of the Nouveaux Regards Film Festival 2026. The first program brings together seven films from several Caribbean territories and the diaspora.
These works will be shown :
- – Friday, March 27, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
- – Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
The screenings will take place in the Auditorium of the Palais de la Culture Félix Proto in Les Abymes.
The selection highlights a diversity of cinematic approaches and sensibilities:
- – Night Shift directed by Lynda Dalexis – Guadeloupe
- – Sunny by German Gruber Jr. – Curaçao
- – The Road We Travel by Mary Cecilia Walker – Barbados
- – The Terrifying Fear of the Void by Anthony Chambeau – Martinique
- – Las, Fiya (Last Fire) by Kat Anderson – Jamaica / Great Britain
- – Stevende Lavado Stubbs – Bahamas / Canada
- – Anba Dlo by Luiza Calagian and Rosa Caldeira – Cuba / Brazil / Haiti
With a total duration of 1 hour and 33 minutes this program reflects the narrative and aesthetic richness of the region’s young filmmakers.
Program 2: six films to explore other narratives
The second competition program continues this exploration of new voices in Caribbean cinema. It includes six short films with a total running time of 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Sessions are scheduled :
- – Friday, March 27, 2026 at 8:30 p.m.
- – Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Also at the Palais de la Culture Félix Proto this program offers a variety of cinematic worlds.
The selected films are :
- – Hello
- – Fort Buku
- – Gloria
- – Children’s games
- – Kavalyé O Dam
- – Cœur Bleu
This selection illustrates the evolution of themes and narrative forms explored by Caribbean creators, from social issues to intimate experiences and cultural imaginaries.
A platform for new generations of filmmakers
In addition to screenings, the Nouveaux Regards Film Festival 2026 plays a strategic role in structuring the Caribbean audiovisual sector. Visit NR Academy provides a forum for exchange and training for professionals and young creators. Through meetings, workshops and discussions with experts in the sector, this program addresses the challenges of production, distribution and broadcasting of Caribbean cinema.
The presence of international works never before seen in Guadeloupe also reinforces the festival’s openness to other artistic horizons. This international dimension contributes to a broader dialogue between the Caribbean and the world’s cinematographies.
Guadeloupe, home of Caribbean cinema
By hosting the Nouveaux Regards Film Festival 2026, Guadeloupe confirms its central role in the development of the Caribbean’s cultural industries. The festival contributes to the region’s artistic dynamism, while offering local audiences the opportunity to discover works that are rarely shown in traditional circuits. It also helps to raise the profile of Caribbean talent on the international scene.
Through its programming and its commitment to new writing, the Nouveaux Regards Film Festival 2026 pursues an essential mission: to give a voice to filmmakers who tell the story of today’s Caribbean and imagine the Caribbean of tomorrow.
The Nouveaux Regards Film Festival 2026 will take place from March 25 to 29, 2026 in Guadeloupe.
Screenings of the short film competition will take place in the Auditorium of the Palais de la Culture Félix Proto, in Les Abymes.
The festival showcases new writing in Caribbean cinema, supports emerging directors and fosters exchanges between Caribbean creators and the international scene.
The integration of Richès Karayib into the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) marks a new stage in the development of Caribbean media. This membership formalizes Richès Karayib’s regional roots and reinforces its determination to actively contribute to the structuring of the Caribbean media landscape.
In a context where the circulation of content remains fragmented between linguistic and geographic territories, joining the Caribbean Broadcasting Union represents a strategic lever for boosting the visibility and circulation of Caribbean content.
The Caribbean Broadcasting Union, a pillar of the Caribbean media landscape
The Caribbean Broadcasting Union is the regional organization that federates the Caribbean media, covering radio, television, print and digital platforms. It plays a central role in cooperation between broadcasters, the circulation of content, the professionalization of players in the sector and the promotion of Caribbean productions.
Every year, the Caribbean Broadcasting Union organizes the CBU Media Awards. These awards recognize the most outstanding productions in radio, television, print and digital. These awards are a major event for Caribbean media professionals, helping to raise standards of journalistic and editorial quality in the region. By becoming a member of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Richès Karayib joins a structured and recognized network at the heart of regional media dynamics.
A strategic step for Richès Karayib
Since its creation, Richès Karayib has been promoting culture, heritage, tourism and the women and men who shape the Caribbean’s attractiveness and influence. Membership of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union consolidates this trajectory by opening up new prospects:
- – publishing cooperation on a regional scale
- – increased circulation of content
- – professional exchanges between member media
- – enhanced visibility with institutional and economic players
Joining the Caribbean Broadcasting Union also enables Richès Karayib to place its productions within a demanding regional framework, where content quality, journalistic rigor and editorial impact are decisive. This new step comes at a time when the medium is developing its print, digital and audiovisual formats, with a clear ambition: to connect Caribbean territories beyond linguistic borders.
Building a structured Caribbean media space
The Caribbean is rich in talent, culture and initiative. However, content produced in one territory is still not widely distributed to other islands and countries in the region. One of the major challenges of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union is precisely to promote this circulation and encourage regional collaboration.
By joining the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Richès Karayib is affirming its desire to play an active part in this dynamic. This is not just institutional recognition, but a commitment: to contribute to a more connected, visible and structured Caribbean media.
This approach is in line with Richès Karayib’s mission to promote the region’s talents, initiatives and heritage, while encouraging synergies between regions.
Setting course for the CBU Media Awards
As part of this membership, Richès Karayib will take part in the 37th CBU Media Awards organized by the Caribbean Broadcasting Union. Richès Karayib’s participation is in line with the company’s commitment to professionalization and regional outreach.
Beyond the competition, the CBU Media Awards represent a space for Caribbean media to meet, exchange ideas and gain visibility. For RK, it’s a further opportunity to promote a committed editorial voice in the service of the Caribbean.
A new development phase
Joining the Caribbean Broadcasting Union marks a natural evolution for Richès Karayib. After consolidating its presence in the French-speaking Caribbean, the medium is now taking a decisive step towards wider regional integration.
In a changing media environment, where cooperation, editorial quality and international visibility are essential, joining the Caribbean Broadcasting Union is a strong signal.
Richès Karayib’s ambition is to contribute to a more visible, coherent and assertive Caribbean media.
The Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) is the regional media organization for the Caribbean, covering radio, television, print and digital platforms. It promotes cooperation, the circulation of content and the professionalization of players in the sector.
Membership of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union enables Richès Karayib to join a structured regional network, boost its visibility on a Caribbean scale and develop editorial collaborations with other member media.
The CBU Media Awards are an annual competition organized by the Caribbean Broadcasting Union to recognize the best radio, television, print and digital productions in the region.
Every February 19th, International Whale Day invites us to celebrate these emblematic marine mammals and reflect on their essential role in the health of the oceans. In the Caribbean, International Whale Day resonates with particular intensity: here, the turquoise waters become the scene of a natural ballet that attracts visitors from all over the world, combining wonder, environmental commitment and responsible tourism.
This region is no longer just a migratory stopover for humpback whales. It has become, for curious travelers and nature enthusiasts, a must-see destination for a unique cetacean-watching experience.
A well-established migration season, already active in 2025
The annual migration of humpback whales to the warm waters of the Caribbean continues to be a major seasonal phenomenon. Scientists and local observers confirm that the first individuals are seen as early as January, and that their presence intensifies throughout the following months. This spectacular migration, visible from the waters off Guadeloupe to the protected marine areas of the Dominican Republic, offers a prime viewing window for visitors between December and April, with peak activity often recorded around February and March – precisely when the Caribbean celebrates International Whale Day.
For travellers, these months represent the ideal time to combine vacations, the discovery of marine biodiversity and responsible tourism.
The Caribbean in the global cetacean ecosystem
The Caribbean region is home to a wide variety of cetaceans: whales, sperm whales and dolphins frequent these rich waters at different times of the year. According to the data collected, several species of mysticetes (baleen whales) and odontocetes (toothed whales and dolphins) are present, some permanently, others in transit.
This diversity enriches the observation experience and makes the Caribbean a global world crossroads for the study and conservation of marine mammals. It also offers visitors the chance to see different species on the same expedition.
A real and growing impact on tourism (2024-2025)
Although figures on whale-watching tourism in the Caribbean are still fragmentary, it is undeniable that this activity attracts a significant number of foreign visitors each season. In some of the region’s cruise ports, for example, over 375,000 passengers are expected during the 2024-2025 season, reflecting the strength of the island’s tourism sector as a whole.
If we take into account that whale watching is often integrated into these maritime experiences (excursions, nature stopovers, marine safaris), this shows the extent to which cetaceans have become a strong attraction in the Caribbean tourism offer.
In the most famous areas, such as Samaná Bay in the Dominican Republic, whale-watching activity is already recognized as one of the most important in the region. Dozens if not hundreds of individuals are identified each season, reflecting the importance of this marine area for the breeding and rearing of young whales.
Biodiversity as an attraction
What sets the Caribbean experience apart is the combination of natural spectacle and exceptional biodiversity. Unlike purely visual marine safaris, whale-watching trips here take place in a rich ecological context where different types of cetaceans co-exist: humpback whales, sperm whales and dolphin species, each with their own unique behaviors.
Passionate travelers have the opportunity not only to see these animals, but also to learn more about their life cycles, underwater songs and migration strategies – a scientific and educational dimension that simply transforms “observing” into “understanding”.
Exceptional observation hotspots
The Caribbean boasts several remarkable observation sites:
- – Samaná Bay (Dominican Republic): renowned for hosting numerous humpback whales during their breeding and calving periods.
- – The coasts of Guadeloupe particularly around the islands of Les Saintes and Marie-Galante, offer excellent conditions for watching spectacular whale jumps.
- – Silver Bank (off the coast of the Dominican Republic): a marine sanctuary where you can sometimes enjoy more immersive experiences.
- – French departments of America (Guadeloupe, Martinique) part of the Agoa sanctuary, which protects over 143,000 km² dedicated to marine mammals.
Responsible tourism: challenges and best practices
The growth of whale-watching tourism is not without its challenges. It involves a shared responsibility between tourism operators, local authorities and the travellers themselves. In many areas, ethical approach protocols have been adopted to minimize stress on the animals. These include respectful approach distances, speed limits at sea, controlled observation times, and a ban on swimming with whales without strict scientific supervision.
For travelers, choosing certified service providers committed to conservation has become a marker of quality experience. It’s also a concrete way of supporting sustainable tourism: by respecting the rules, you protect the animals while promoting responsible economic activity that benefits local communities.
An unforgettable human and ecological experience
International Whale Day is a reminder that these species are both jewels of biodiversity and vectors of connection between man and nature. For tourists visiting the Caribbean, whale watching is an encounter with an ancient animal intelligence, an immersion in a unique migratory cycle and an awareness of the importance of preserving these marine giants.
Witnessing these encounters, whether it’s a whale calf playing on the surface or a mother accompanying her calf, is rarely an indifferent experience. And for those with a passion for the Caribbean, the experience becomes a must. source of inspiration and commitment to protecting the oceans.
A call to action as conscious travelers
On International Whale Day, the Caribbean reminds us that it’s not just a postcard destination: it’s a living hub of marine biodiversity, where natural beauty meets environmental responsibility. For travelers and enthusiasts alike, International Whale Day is an invitation to enjoy authentic, informed and respectful experiences, enriching not only their stay but also their understanding of the marine world around us.
Every whale-watching excursion can become a moment of sharing, knowledge and respect, a personal contribution to the preservation of these giants of the sea, today and for future generations.
International Whale Day coincides with the peak migration season of humpback whales to the warm waters of the Caribbean. This makes the region a major breeding and whale-watching site, reinforcing its role in the preservation of marine biodiversity and the development of sustainable tourism.
The whale-watching season generally runs from December to April, with a peak between February and March. It is during this period that humpback whales calve in Caribbean waters, offering visitors ideal viewing conditions.
Yes, when governed by strict rules. Many Caribbean territories apply regulated approach protocols: minimum distance, limited number of boats, controlled speed and operator training. Choosing a certified service provider is essential to guarantee a responsible and sustainable experience.
On February 17, 2026, pastor and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson passed away at the age of 84. A major figure in the fight for racial equality in the United States, Jesse Jackson leaves behind more than half a century of political, social and moral commitment. His death has prompted a wave of tributes around the world, hailing him as a servant of justice whose influence extended beyond American borders.
But it would be a mistake to reduce Jesse Jackson to American political history. His career is part of a much broader diasporic dynamic, in which the Caribbean plays a strategic role. Haiti, Cuba and Guadeloupe were all areas of intervention, reflection and solidarity that shed new light on the legacy of this major figure, and enable us to understand the extent of his international influence.
From segregated America to the world stage
Born October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jesse Jackson grew up in a society marked by racial segregation. Involved in the civil rights movement from an early age, he joined Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s and took part in major mobilizations against discrimination. As a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he distinguished himself through his oratory skills and ability to mobilize. In particular, he developed the Operation Breadbasket initiative, which used economic boycotts to force companies to hire more African-Americans. This strategy made him one of the most visible faces of the civil rights movement’s fight for economic justice.
In 1971, he founded Operation PUSH, an organization dedicated to the economic and political empowerment of black communities. This structure, followed by the Rainbow Coalition, helped broaden the civil rights struggle into a multiracial and social coalition. As a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and again in 1988, he became one of the first African-Americans to reach this level of national electoral competition, paving the way for a new generation of black political leaders.
But his influence was not limited to the United States. Early on, he sees the fight for equality as a global struggle linking Africa, the United States and the Caribbean.
The Caribbean, a central space for black consciousness
In the political thought of Jesse Jackson. The Caribbean is never peripheral. It represents a founding space in modern black history, marked by slavery, colonization and the struggle for independence. This historical reading feeds his vision of transnational solidarity between Afro-descendant peoples. For him, the injustices suffered by black communities in the United States cannot be dissociated from the economic and political realities experienced in the Caribbean.
Thus, his international action is part of a diasporic logic in which African-American, Caribbean and African destinies are closely intertwined. This approach explains the positions he has repeatedly taken on major Caribbean issues.
Haiti: economic justice and human dignity
Among the Caribbean territories that have marked this commitment, Haiti occupies a central place. On several occasions, he visited the country to warn of poverty, hunger and political instability. During a particularly significant visit in 2008, he called for the cancellation of Haiti’s debt and for international mobilization in the face of the food crisis. He also denounced inequalities in the treatment of Haitian migrants and insisted on the responsibility of the major powers in the country’s economic situation.
For Jesse Jackson, Haiti symbolizes the historical injustice suffered by societies born of slavery and colonialism. His plea for Haitian dignity is part of a broader vision of global racial justice.
Cuba: parallel diplomacy and dialogue
The relationship between Jesse Jackson with Cuba is another major chapter in this Caribbean commitment. From the 1980s onwards, he was involved in parallel diplomacy missions between Washington and Havana. In 1984, he played a decisive role in the release of American prisoners in Cuba, demonstrating his ability to intervene in sensitive geopolitical issues. Exchanges with Cuban authorities are part of a desire for dialogue and de-escalation between the two countries.
Critical of the US embargo against the island, he advocates a more humane and pragmatic approach to relations between the United States and the Caribbean. This position reinforces his image as an international political player capable of transcending ideological divides.
Guadeloupe: remembering slavery and passing it on
In 2015, the visit of Jesse Jackson at the Mémorial ACTe in Guadeloupe marks an important symbolic moment. For him, this center dedicated to the memory of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade represents an essential place of transmission and historical recognition. In front of a large audience, he saluted the importance of this institution in the construction of a collective black consciousness and in the dialogue between the peoples of the diaspora. His presence in Guadeloupe underlines the importance of Caribbean memory in the global history of the struggle for human dignity.
This milestone illustrates the commitment to a shared memory linking African-Americans and Caribbeans, beyond national borders.
A diasporic vision ahead of its time
Throughout his career, he developed a global approach to black struggles. He supported anti-apartheid movements in South Africa, intervened in crises in Central America and multiplied international mediation initiatives. In this vision, the Caribbean appears as a strategic space where historical, economic and cultural issues intersect. Migration, diplomatic relations with the United States and questions of memory are recurring themes in this commitment.
By articulating these different dimensions, it helps to reinforce the idea of an international black community sharing common struggles.
What legacy for the Caribbean in 2026?
The disappearance of Jesse Jackson comes at a time when issues of racial justice, economic inequality and historical memory remain at the heart of global debates. For the Caribbean, his career is a reminder of the importance of diasporic solidarity and international cooperation. The issues he has championed, whether debt, migration, economic dignity or the memory of slavery, remain highly topical.
His action also highlights the need for the region to continue asserting its place in global discussions on justice and equality.
An American figure, a Caribbean heritage
Jesse Jackson will be remembered as one of the great voices of social justice in the 20th and early 21st centuries. Pastor, activist, mediator and presidential candidate, he dedicated his life to defending marginalized populations and promoting global solidarity. Beyond America, his career reveals the importance of the Caribbean in the construction of an international black consciousness. His interventions in Haiti, Cuba and Guadeloupe bear witness to a political vision in which the region plays a central role in the struggle for dignity and equality.
In the wake of Jesse Jackson’s death, this diasporic reading of his legacy offers an essential key to understanding his influence. Above all, it reminds us that the Caribbean, far from being peripheral, remains at the heart of the history and future of the struggle for global justice.
He was a Baptist minister and a major figure in the U.S. civil rights movement. A close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. he dedicated his life to social justice, racial equality and the defense of marginalized populations on an international scale.
On several occasions, he has been involved in major Caribbean issues. He has pleaded for debt relief for Haiti, led diplomatic missions to Cuba and visited Guadeloupe, notably the Mémorial ACTe, to support the memory of slavery and diasporic solidarity.
His commitment to issues of economic justice, migration, historical memory and international relations remains relevant to the Caribbean. His career is a reminder of the importance of solidarity between Afro-descendant peoples, and of the region’s central role in global debates on equality and dignity.
Maryse Condé remains one of the most powerful voices in Caribbean and French-language literature. In this February 11. On the anniversary of her birth in Pointe-à-Pitre in 1934, her work resonates with particular intensity. More than a novelist, she has shaped critical thinking on colonial history, black identity and the multiple heritages of the Caribbean.
For readers both in the region and in the diaspora, she is the embodiment of a literature that rejects useless ornamentation in favor of a lucid analysis of reality. Her writing has helped reposition the Caribbean in major contemporary intellectual debates.
A literary birth set in Caribbean history
The trajectory of Maryse Condé began in Pointe-à-Pitre, in a Guadeloupe still marked by the social hierarchies inherited from colonization. From her earliest works, she set out to deconstruct simplified narratives of West Indian identity. Her work is not limited to memory: it questions the silences, fractures and contradictions that run through societies born of slavery.
February 11 is therefore not just a biographical date. It recalls the birth of an intellectual who chose literature as a space for historical and political analysis. For Maryse Condé, each novel becomes an investigation into the mechanisms of domination, but also into forms of cultural resistance.
A work that spans continents and centuries
The singularity of Maryse Condé lies in his ability to place the Caribbean within a wider diasporic space. Her novels unfold between Africa, Europe and the Americas, revealing links often ignored by official narratives.
With Ségou, she revisits the history of West Africa, connecting it to Caribbean trajectories. In Moi, Tituba sorcière…, she gives a voice to a marginalized figure in colonial history, questioning power and gender relations. These texts do not seek to idealize the past: they expose its shadows and persistent tensions.
She has always rejected fixed visions of black identity. She questions negritude, recognizing its historical importance while underlining its limitations. This intellectual freedom has made her a major figure in contemporary literature.
International recognition built on high standards
In 2018, the award of the alternative Nobel Prize for Literature recognizes the breadth of the work of Maryse Condé. This international recognition is not a break with the past, but the culmination of a literary career marked by rigor and independence.
Her work has been translated into many languages and studied at universities around the world. Yet she has never ceased to remind us that literature must not become a fixed monument. For her, writing means confronting the present with its contradictions, without giving in to comfortable discourse.
This posture explains the constant modernity of her texts. The issues she raises – memory, migration, multiple identities, colonial legacies – remain at the heart of contemporary debates.
Maryse Condé and the contemporary Caribbean
For today’s Caribbean, Maryse Condé is much more than a literary figure. She embodies a way of thinking about the region in all its complexity. Her work reminds us that Caribbean history is not limited to the colonial period: it extends into today’s social, political and cultural realities.
Young Caribbean writers find her work a major point of reference. She has opened up a space where literature can address the tensions of identity without simplification or romanticization. Today, this demand influences many of the region’s emerging voices.
On this February 11, her legacy is one of living continuity. The questions she posed continue to fuel reflection on the place of the Caribbean in the world, and on how post-colonial societies are building their future.
Literature for uncompromising thinking
The contribution of Maryse Condé is based on a constant conviction: literature should not serve as a refuge, but as a critical space. It invites us to look at history without nostalgia or simplification. This demanding yet accessible approach explains the lasting impact of his work. Her writing reminds us that memory is not a fixed object. It must be questioned, discussed and confronted with the present. This perspective makes Maryse Condé an essential figure for understanding the cultural and social dynamics of the contemporary Caribbean.
Every February 11, the date of her birth becomes an opportunity to re-read a work that continues to shed light on current debates. She gave Caribbean literature a critical and universal dimension. Her legacy remains an invitation to think lucidly about the world.
She has renewed Caribbean literature by addressing colonial history, the memory of slavery and diasporic identities.
His major works include Ségou, Moi, Tituba sorcière… and Traversée de la mangrove, which are studied worldwide.
February 11 marks the birth of Maryse Condé in 1934, an author whose work has had a profound impact on Caribbean cultural and historical thought.
Le February 4, 1794 the French Republic adopted a major decree: the abolition of slavery in the French colonies. The text is voted by the National Convention and directly concerns the Caribbean: Saint-Domingue (future Haiti) , Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana.
This date is often portrayed in textbooks as republican progress. Yet it cannot be understood as an enlightened decision that fell from the sky. The abolition of slavery in the French colonies was first and foremost a response to colonial collapse, triggered by revolts, uprisings and organized resistance by Caribbean slaves.
February 4, 1794 did not mark a moment of political generosity. It marks a moment when the French state no longer has any real choice.
Abolition of slavery born of colonial chaos
Even before the decree was passed, the slave system was already cracking from the inside. Santo Domingo, in 1791, insurrection broke out in the richest French colony. Thousands of slaves rose up, burning plantations, disrupting production and clashing with colonial militias.
This revolt was neither improvised nor isolated. It was based on networks, military leaders, survival and combat strategies. The colonial order soon became impossible to maintain. Revolutionary France, already engaged in European conflicts, found itself faced with an ungovernable colony.
In this context, proclaiming freedom is not an abstract ideal. It’s an attempt to save what can still be saved.
1793: freedom proclaimed before Paris
A fundamental element is often forgotten: theabolition of slavery begins in the field, before Paris. In 1793, in Saint-Domingue, the civil commissioners of the Republic proclaimed the freedom of slaves to avoid the total loss of the colony and rally the former slaves to the Republican camp.
This chronology is essential. The decree of February 4, 1794 did not unleash freedom, it formalized it. It transformed a local reality imposed by war and revolt into a national decision.
It’s a classic reversal of colonial history: the Empire adapts after losing control.
What the decree of February 4, 1794 really says
The text abolished slavery in all French colonies and recognized citizenship for former slaves, regardless of color. In legal terms, the break was clear: slaves ceased to be property and became subjects of law. On a European scale, the act was exceptional. Few states then dared to go so far. But this breakthrough remained fragile, as it was based on an unstable political balance.
The abolition of slavery in the French colonies now exists in law but its reality still depended on local power relations.
Applications vary widely from one region to another
The abolition of slavery in Guadeloupe: conditional freedom
In Guadeloupe, the abolition of slavery was proclaimed in 1794 after the island was taken over by Republican forces. Former slaves were armed, conscripted and mobilized to defend the territory. Freedom was real, but it was linked to the war effort and loyalty to the Republic.
The abolition of slavery in Martinique: freedom suspended
In British-occupied Martinique, the decree did not apply. Slavery persisted despite the Parisian decision. This situation reveals a brutal reality: a law can be passed without ever being implemented.
The abolition of slavery in Saint-Domingue: an irreversible dynamic
In Saint-Domingue, the abolition of slavery was part of a wider movement. The former slaves already controlled entire territories. The break with the colonial order was profound, and would lead, a few years later, to Haiti’s independence in 1804.
These discrepancies show that the abolition of slavery in the French colonies was neither uniform nor guaranteed.
History's forgotten: women, marronnes and smugglers
Behind the decrees and dates, there are lives. Women slaves, marronnes, healers, messengers, often absent from official archives. Yet they played a central role in transmission, survival and resistance. Some fled the plantations, others organized mutual aid networks, hid insurgents and passed on stories and knowledge. Their actions are not enshrined in law, but they played a full part in the collapse of the slave system.
To speak of February 4, 1794 without evoking these trajectories is to reduce abolition to an administrative act, when it is first and foremost a human and collective experience. a human and collective experience.
1802: when the Republic reneged on its own decision
In 1802, under the Consulate, the power led by Napoleon Bonaparte re-established slavery in several colonies. This step backwards was not a discreet one. It was accompanied by repression, deportations and a determination to restore the plantation economy. Free men and women are once again enslaved. This shift reveals a disturbing truth: republican principles give way when colonial interests are deemed paramount.
February 4, 1794 was a fragile and contested interlude.
1848: Abolition of slavery definitive, but incomplete
It wasn’t until 1848 that slavery was definitively abolished in the French colonies. This time, there was no going back. But legal freedom did not solve everything. Former slaves had to cope with new forms of dependence: forced labor, land inequalities, political exclusion. The abolition of slavery marked a legal end, but the fight for real equality had barely begun.
Why is February 4, 1794 so important?
February 4, 1794 is not a fixed symbol. It tells a complex story, made up of struggles, concessions, setbacks and resistance. It reminds us that the Caribbean has never been simply a dominated space, but a territory capable of imposing its own realities on world history.
The abolition of slavery in the French colonies on this day shows that rights are not only born in assemblies, but in the fields, forests, revolts and daily struggles.
Because it formalizes a freedom wrested through the struggles of slaves, and directly concerns several major Caribbean territories.
But not everywhere. Its application depends on local contexts, foreign occupations and political choices.
It shows the fragility of rights when they are not solidly protected, and the priority given, at the time, to colonial economic interests.
