Martinique, Aimé Césaire already one year !

I was in Martinique last week and it was the first anniversary of Aimé Césaire death.

The program of activities is long but I assist to 3 events:

- at the cemetery the Maire of Fort de France - Serge Letchimy had a little ceremony with less than one hundred persons

- the Parti Progressiste Martiniquais had a breakfast - they sale T-shirts and books

- the SERMAC - cultural center create a show with the students of art classes in presence of officials.

I am informing you that french post office did create a stamp with Césaire

here are some pictures. and pretty soon the english and spanish version of the Aimé Césaire for kids booklet, we are working on it !!!

LAKOUZEMI again in Martinique- 11th april 09

What is this ? a strange cultural event, a happening in a coq fight arena with intellectual and artist. With no subvention from government !!!
In creole: Lakou = An lakou ; Zémi : Caribe gods
the program is :

o Débats : Monchoachi, Gérard Nicolas, Jean-Marc Terrine, Sylvana Rangoly, Roland Pavila
o Musique : ChyenFèmyizik, Léon Sainte-Rose, José Marie-Rose
o Danse : Christiane Emmanuel
o Pawol nan bouch: Neg Madnik, Simone, Papa Slam
o Projection de films : Christian FORET
o Théâtre : Patrick Womba,
o Atelier pawol : Alin Légares
o Atelier pour enfants : Emmanuel Sarrotte
o Travaux in situ de Plasticiens : Yvan Manuel, Bruno Pédurand, Christian Romney
o Atelier audiovisuel : Christian FORET &KEN


Christiane Emmanuel is performing but I will love to assist for more st Lucians to assist and participate ... but this is Kalalu time.

well if you feel to see something new, just cross the channel - mental, culturel, linguistic.

LAKOUZEMI

SANMDI GLORYA 11 AVRIL 2009, 11H - 23H

PITT THOMASSIN, BARRIÈRE-LA-CROIX, SAINTE-ANNE… DÉ-ZÉRONÈF (février 09)…NOU KA VANSÉ TOUJOU
PA NI LIMIT : AUTOSUFFISANCE INTÉGRALE
LAREL-NOU AN TOUT’REL

DEBATS & Danse, Musique, Théâtre, Expositions, Ateliers, Boutique
Menu à 15 euros, Entrée libre, Mandé pou sav : 06 96 82 14 42

A video on riot in Martinique this week

A lot of people ask me about the situation in Martinique.
St Lucie start to greet some Martinican coming over to shop ! this is funny. Remember the timle of the Dissidence, when Martinican came over to runaway from french Government during the second world war.

Well, 4 days ago it was hot there. Some Beke gave money to Dock guys for them to release some containers of goods. The 5th February committee block the containers and the Police came to assist. The Police shot on people. Fortunately nobody was injured... but the tension still big there.
The school reopen this week. Wait and see.

have a look:

http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1007692647696

thanks to Thierry Porchel for his movie.

A Barack obama Street in Martinique !

The French Caribbean island of Martinique has commemorated Barack Obama’s historic ascension to the presidency of the United States by naming a street in his honor. The newly dubbed Rue Obama extends from the heart of the picturesque city of Le Diamant, located along the island’s pristine southern coast, to the sea. Gilbert Eustache, Mayor of Le Diamant was very proud of the event Fittingly, the street measures 144 meters for the 44th President of the United States.

Obama Street

Muriel Wiltord, director for the Martinique Promotion Bureau/CMT USA, commented on the designation, stating: “Here in Martinique, as in other communities around the world that boast a predominantly African heritage, we are extremely proud and excited about President Obama’s victory. Our own Aimé Césaire was a crusader for Civil Rights in the Caribbean and Europe on a comparable level to great American leaders like Martin Luther King, so for us the victory is all the more sweet."

Interesting how the Caribbean people are vibrating to this election ! The First one is Martinique !

Martinique Carnaval Cancelled !

After some hesitation, the Maire of Fort de France Serge Letchimy cancelled the Carnival for security reasons. Most of the other towns cancelled already their Fetes.
This is a big discussion among cultural people and general public in Martinique: is Carnival must be maintained ? How to show solidarity to the mouvment ? If Carnival is played, how this will impact on the image of the Martinican population during a strike ?

Going/ not going ? The different band leaders have different position...

but Vaval is dead before his time !