Victor Schœlcher in the spotlight during the Grand Case festival!

Thursday July 21, President Aline Hanson, Prefect Anne Laubies, the Member of Parliament for Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy Daniel Gibbs, the elected representatives of the territorial council and various local personalities, paid tribute to the abolitionist Victor Schœlcher, while celebrating the village of Grand Case.

The tribute began with an ecumenical mass at the town's Catholic church, followed by the traditional walk up Boulevard Bertin Maurice on foot, to the marquee set up in front of the cultural center for official speeches and the reception.
After the speech of the representative of district no. 2, the President, the deputy, like the prefect, did not lost sight of the subject that united the audience on July 21. Above all, they paid tribute to the “builder of freedom” Victor Schœlcher, recalling in turn the importance of his fight and the need to protect what makes Saint-Martin strong: fraternity and unity. of its population.
Mr. Victor Benjamin of the Gunslingers musical association, received the medal from MP Daniel Gibbs and the warm thanks of President Aline Hanson for his unfailing involvement with the local youth to whom his association teaches the steel pan for several decades.
The official part completed, the audience shared the traditional reception to the rhythm of the musical group Jolly Boys.
The festivities continued in the post- noon in the form of games for children and sporting events on land and water to keep older children entertained, before giving way to the magnificent fireworks display and musical concert, which closed the traditional festival of Grand Case in a friendly and festive atmosphere.

 

Only the spoken word is authentic

Speech President Aline Hanson
Fête de Schoelcher

Madame the prefect representing the communities of St Martin and St Barthélemy
Mr. the deputy of the communities of St Martin and St Barthélemy,
Mr. the senator of Saint-Martin,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Territorial Councilors,
Mr. Representative of the CESC,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Representatives and Members of the Neighborhood Councils,
Ladies and Gentlemen in your ranks and qualities,
Good morning,

Allow me to begin by sending a quick word to the mayor, Albert Fleming, who will celebrate his 80th birthday tomorrow! (Happy birthday, Mr. Mayor….).
A special word also for Mr. Victor Benjamin, of the Gunslingers, whose birthday it is also. Mr. Benjamin, you have been involved in promoting the Steel Pan for several decades. It is important for our young people, I thank you.

Grand Case, it is a celebration which is both cultural and historical.

History: because we let us honor the builder of freedom Victor Schoelcher, who alongside other French abolitionists, such as Auguste-François Périnon, contributed to the liberation of slaves.
Cultural: because we celebrate the village and its assets / a very appreciated by our tourists, a place where life is good.

Victor Schoelcher
As for the story: it is precisely because he came to the West Indies to go account for himself of the functioning of the colonies, that Victor Schoelcher chose to speak out for an immediate abolition of the system of slavery. He contributed to the adoption of the decree abolishing slavery, published on March 5, 1848.

Journalist, essayist, but also politician, elected deputy of Martinique then of Guadeloupe, the The humanist Victor Schoelcher wrote extensively on the horrors of servitude.
While analyzing the history of France in the 18th and 19th centuries, he asserted: "The one and only remedy for the ills incalculable amounts of servitude is freedom! ".

I invite the younger generations to immerse themselves in the history of the Antilles and of Saint-Martin in particular, to understand how much Freedom is
a precious good that it must be defended and preserved. And more than ever in the current global context.


Grand Case
In this historical lineage, the village of Grand-Case is in a way the secular emblem of Saint- Martin.

Grand Case inhabitants have always perpetuated our traditions. Nowadays, Grand Case is a popular place for the quality of its restaurants, for shopping, but also for the typical atmosphere of the village and the beauty of the beach.
I strongly believe in the protection of those assets. We must be able to combine tourism development and respect for local traditions.

Grand Case must remain a unique place where people come and enjoy the French-Caribbean cuisine and a natural beach. A clean beach, with no plastic chairs. On this subject, a decision has been taken, the beach cannot be occupied without authorization.
It is the will of the Community and I know I can count on the good sense of our citizens to respect this decision.

I would also like to take this moment to salute the local community: the numerous sporting and cultural associations which invest in our young people - all those who act in favor of our community of destiny.

Dear volunteers: our young people need benchmarks and values ​​more than ever, and through your investment, you are a valuable relay for parents who must also get involved. I would like to thank you publicly.

Achievements
The development of this sector of the island is particularly promising. The Hope Estate area - a true economic hub - is constantly evolving. In this regard, I thank the companies who believed in this potential, and I encourage young people to develop their project, to create their own activity in Gran