The Collectivity of Saint-Martin and its Culture department organized a commemorative morning on Friday, May 28, at the former Plantation Mont Vernon, a highly symbolic historic site, where the memory of slaves remains very present.
The program began with the anthem of Saint-Martin at the steel pan, followed by the screening of the film “La Plantation Mont Vernon through time”, produced by our colleagues from IOTV with the Culture department of the Collectivity, and the words by Carole Tondu and Christophe Henocq. A dive into the history of this plantation and its former sugar refinery, historic buildings in the French part.
The words of First Vice-President Valérie Damaseau, President Daniel Gibbs and Prefect Serge Gouteyron then resonated in this historic place, recalling how traumatic this period of history has been for the Caribbean populations.
President Gibbs insisted on two important words, "two ideas which help to understand the world, and often to change it: Memory and Freedom".
After the traditional wreath laying at the foot of the old building, a visit to the Plantation, led by Christophe Henocq, enabled the personalities present to remember the history of this little piece of land, bought by the Collectivity, there a few years ago, with the objective of rehabilitating the master's building thanks to the Bern fund, and of building an educational and cultural project there which should see the light of day in the coming years.
The event ended with cultural presentations from the students of the Saint-Martin extracurricular school and the Natisha Hanson choir. Talented children, much applauded, as they authentically retraced Caribbean history during the period of slavery. They unveiled all their talent as a speaker and singer to the delight of the audience.
Special thanks to Cedric Benjamin and Elio Coquillas for their moving interpretation of La Marseillaise on traditional instruments, steel pan, Gwo Ka and Conch blowing (the sound is emitted by blowing in the shell of the queen conch).
Bravo to those who mobilized for this historic commemoration. Thank you to the Sint Maarten counterparts, including Acting Prime Minister Deputy J. Doran and his delegation, present at the ceremony.
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