Description
This study day will explore the historical links between Corsica and the West Indies, from the 15th to the 19th century. Between legends and historical realities - from Christopher Columbus to Pasquale Paoli, via Toussaint Louverture and the great families of Cap Corse - researchers and specialists will highlight the influence of the Corsicans in the Caribbean islands, whether French, English or Spanish.
Through lectures and discussions, this scientific meeting will shed new light on the human, political and cultural movements between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
Presenting speakers: Michel VERGÉ-FRANCESCHI, Alain BLONDY, H.E. Henry ZIPPER DE FABIANI, Dr Ludovic de GENTILE, Philippe-César BALDI, Kevin PETRONI, Marc Andria PERAUT, Laetitia CASTELLANI, Simon GIUSEPPI, Michel-Édouard NIGAGLIONI, Anna MORETTI and Alain DI MEGLIO.
Under the scientific direction of Michel VERGÉ-FRANCESCHI, Professor Emeritus, former Director of the CNRS Maritime History Laboratory at Paris IV-Sorbonne and former Chairman of the French Maritime History Commission.
An event organised by the Natural and Cultural Heritage Department of Bonifacio Town Council and the Bonifacio Cultural Centre and Media Library.
Find out more about the day's programme below:
IN THE BEGINNING (XVᵉ-XVIIIᵉ):
- 9am: welcome, with Jean-Charles ORSUCCI, Mayor of Bonifacio.
- 9.30am: Talk on "From Christopher Columbus, 1 Marquis of Jamaica, to the widow of the 10 Marquis of Jamaica, friend of Pascal Paoli. Destins croisés", with Michel VERGÉ-FRANCESCHI, Professor Emeritus of the Universities.
- 10am: discussion on "The Order of Malta and the temptation of the Caribbean", with Alain BLONDY, Emeritus Professor at Paris IV-Sorbonne.
-10.30am: lecture on "The West Indies in French diplomacy in the 18th century", with H.E. Henry ZIPPER DE FABIANI, Ambassador of France.
THE CORSAIRS IN MARTINIQUE, SAINT-DOMINGUE, HAITI (1787-1803)
Session chaired by Henry ZIPPER DE FABIANI.
- 11:15am: "The astonishing fate of the Gentiles, the Lords of Brando, who have lived in Martinique since 1787", with Dr Ludovic de GENTILE, parasitologist at Angers University Hospital.
- 11:45am: "General Leclerc and the military expedition to Saint-Domingue under the Consulate: operations, difficulties and methods used by the protagonists", with Philippe-César BALDI, Lieutenant General.
- 12.15pm: lunch break.
SLAVERY AND SLAVERS: THE FRENCH AND SPANISH WEST INDIES
Chair: Anne MORETTI, agrégée de l'université.
- 2.30pm: discussion on "The Corsican Baglioni from Calvi who freed Toussaint Louverture", with Kevin PETRONI, PhD in French literature from the University of Corsica, post-doctorate (UMR LISA and Sciences-Po-Paris).
- 3pm: discussion on "Corsican clerics and the abolition of slavery in Martinique, Abbé Castelli's archives and correspondence", with Marc Andria PERAUT, PhD in History from the University of Corte, post-doctoral fellow at UMR LISA, seconded to Oxford.
- 3.30pm: "Les Corses à Porto Rico (Antilles espagnoles)", with Laetitia CASTELLANI, PhD in History, lecturer at the University of Corsica.
CORSICA IN THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH WEST INDIES: SETTLERS AND ARTISTS
Session chaired by Alain BLONDY, Professor Emeritus at Paris IV-Sorbonne
- 4.15pm: "Corsicans and Corsican capes in Trinidad (English West Indies)", with Simon GIUSEPPI, author.
- 4.45pm: discussion on "Painted decor, social success and the imaginary of exile in 19th-century Cape Corsica", with Michel-Édouard NIGAGLIONI, art historian, curator of the temporary exhibition Palazzi di l'Americani (Musée de la Corse, Corte, 2017).
- 5.15pm: "Joséphine décapitée (1998), insularity and cancel culture", with Anna MORETTI, associate professor of English, PhD from the University of Corte.
- 5.45pm: conclusions, with Alain DI MEGLIO, Professor Emeritus at the University of Corsica and Deputy for Culture and Heritage at the Commune of Bonifacio.
The full programme is available to download in PDF format at the bottom of the page.
Practical information:
- Free admission
- Free admission