In May 2019, Guadeloupe hosted the inaugural “Journées du Patrimoine Culturel Immatériel des Antilles et de la Guyane” (Intangible Cultural Heritage Days of the Antilles and Guyana), organized by the association Patrimoine Vivant de Marie-Galante. The event’s success highlighted the importance and necessity of creating a space for dialogue among associations, local authorities and their elected officials, state services, cultural operators, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, experts, mediators, and facilitators who are committed to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, in line with UNESCO’s guidelines.
These three days were spent at various locations including Hôtel Arawak, Habitation La Grivelière, and the Mémorial ACTe. Participants shared their experiences, projects, critiques, and expectations as they worked on implementing this heritage convention. This gathering, described as a “lyanaj” (a collective link), fostered practices of solidarity, a theme that was subsequently chosen for the following event held in Martinique in May 2022.
The discussions and outcomes of these days have been summarized in a comprehensive manner, focusing on four thematic orientations that are complementary and transversal across all communications. These proceedings are published in Cahiers du CFPCI No. 9, detailing the first edition of these significant heritage days for the Antilles and Guyana.
