MARTINIQUE TODAY

MARTINIQUE TODAY

From her two trips in the 1970s, photographer Betty Raffaelli brought back visual and audio testimonies about the living conditions of the Martiniquan people. In them, she barely conceals the traces of slavery and the enduring presence of the colonial matrix.

Fifty years after these events, Martinique presents the image of an island profoundly transformed, where work, daily life, and education have evolved in response to the challenges of modernity. However, this apparent renewal raises the question of the persistence of colonial legacies, subtly embedded in Martinique’s social and cultural fabric.

The toppling of statues, such as that of Victor Schoelcher on May 22, 2020, public protests against the silence and impunity of the State regarding the chlordécone health scandal, and other contemporary demonstrations symbolize a generation of Martiniquans inspired by past struggles, supported by the writings of Fanon and Césaire.

This exhibition encourages reflection on collective memory, emphasizing the importance of passing down the stories of social movements to the new generation, to anchor their identity in a deep understanding of their history.

This epilogue not only closes a chapter of Martiniquan history but also opens up essential questions about the enduring traces of the colonial past and how they shape the present and future of the island. Today’s Martinique engages in a constant dialogue between its rich heritage and the contemporary aspirations of its people, seeking to build a future where identity, dignity, and sovereignty come together.