Every July 21, on Saint Victor's Day, Grand-Case dons its finery to celebrate the memory of Victor Schœlcher, journalist, Guadeloupean politician and writer of the decree of April 27, 1848 which definitively abolished slavery in France.
The man will have worked all his life to fight against slavery and a tribute is paid to him every year in the streets of the district. This July 21, 2022 will have respected tradition despite the torrential rains that fell on Grand-Case early in the morning. The official festivities started at 9 a.m. with the ecumenical ceremony at the Catholic Church in Grand-Case. Around 10 a.m., the parade. Uniforms, flags, drums, everything was there for the usual parade to dazzle the spectators as well as the representatives of the Collectivity and the State. The former scouts of Grand-Case marched in step to follow the troop of Explorateurs de Quartier d'Orléans who hit their snare drum with impeccable rhythm. Once the parade is over, it's time for the speeches. Louis Mussington introduced his own in these terms: “I, a descendant of slaves, could find reasons not to celebrate Schoelcher today. The president of the Collective then questioned the involvement of Victor Schoelcher in the liberation of the black man while emphasizing the importance of the duty of memory. He went on to praise Grand-Case, its gastronomy and its own identity. Annick Pétrus, senator from Saint Martin, then went on stage to retrace Victor Schoelcher's rich career and salute the founding text written by him, saying: "The Republic has been able to break with the past by founding a new social contract based on liberty, equality and fraternity. As for Vincent Berton, delegate prefect of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint Martin, he considers Grand-Case to be one of the most beautiful and authentic neighborhoods in the Caribbean and Saint Martin. He gave his full support to Louis Mussington with regard to the reconstruction of the religious building in Grand-Case and the return of sailing boat races, two points mentioned by the president during his speech. Regarding the tribute to Victor Schoelcher, the Prefect said: “There is history and there is memory. History is facts that are established. In 1848, slavery was definitively abolished. That is History and it is the work of Victor Schoelcher. I don't think anyone can deny that. And then there is the memory that everyone carries, within themselves, in their skin, which is the memory of their past, of their parents, of their families, which is much more personal, more irrational, but which is just as important. »
Afterwards, everyone gathered for the reception. The entertainment continued throughout the day. At 22 p.m., fireworks off the coast dazzled the sky of Grand-Case. _VX
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