Monday, February 24, 2025
Martinique, a jewel of the Caribbean, is honoring Black History Month by celebrating its rich cultural heritage and the profound impact of influential Black figures on its identity and legacy.
At the forefront of this commemoration, the Martinique Tourism Authority is using February as a time for deep reflection—highlighting the island’s own historical journey while also embracing its ties to the wider French Caribbean and the African diaspora.
“The history of Martinique is filled with pages of stories of Black men and women who fought against the oppression, injustice and bondage they witnessed all around them. Many of them made unimaginable sacrifices to bring about changes they did not live to see. As Martinicans today, we are proud to honor their faith, resilience, creativity, and vision that made us the people we are today,” said Muriel Wiltord, Director of the Americas of the Martinique Tourism Authority.
Recognizing the immense contributions of Martinique and the broader Francophone Caribbean to Black history—spanning poetry, literature, political thought, and artistic expression—the Martinique Tourism Authority has been actively spotlighting key figures.
Martinique has long been a cradle of powerful voices that have shaped global Black consciousness. Among its most celebrated figures is Aimé Césaire, a poet, playwright, and politician who co-founded the Négritude movement, a literary and ideological force that championed Black identity and resistance to colonial oppression. His legacy endures through landmarks such as the Aimé Césaire International Airport and a commemorative plaque at the Panthéon in Paris, serving as enduring symbols of his impact.
Another transformative figure is Frantz Fanon, whose groundbreaking works on decolonization and racial identity—including Black Skin, White Masks and The Wretched of the Earth—have influenced liberation movements across Africa and the Caribbean. 2025 marks the centenary of Fanon’s birth, and Martinique is commemorating the occasion with “Année Frantz Fanon,” a year-long tribute featuring special events and an international symposium dedicated to his enduring legacy.
Adding to this intellectual and cultural richness, Édouard Glissant deepened conversations on identity and diversity with his theories of créolité, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cultures within the Caribbean and beyond. His work continues to shape modern discourse on multiculturalism and historical memory.
Martinique’s history is deeply linked to the greater Caribbean’s enduring fight for freedom and self-determination. The struggles and victories of its people echo across the African diaspora, reinforcing a shared legacy of resilience, cultural pride, and the ongoing pursuit of justice. Through this commemoration, Martinique not only honors its own past but also strengthens its ties to the broader narrative of Black history worldwide.
“As we reflect on the incredible legacy of our forebears, we must continue to educate and enlighten our younger generations so that they, too, will honor the rich, complex history of Black identity and achievement and our unique Martiniqualité, which continues to shape our island and the world,” stated Wiltord.
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