Aimé Césaire Museum Space

Who was Aimé Césaire ?

Aimé Césaire (1913 – 2008) was a literary man and a politician from Martinique ; he is among the most emblematic personalities of the 20th century on the island. In 1934, he was the creator of what he called Negritude, a concept that gathers the values of black civilizations and aims to promote their cultures, especially when they are victims of colonialism abuse.

A memorial space dedicated to the greatness of man

The Aimé Césaire Museum Space was inaugurated on June 26, 2013, the centenary of the man’s birth. This is the last office he occupied between 1956 and 1976 as mayor, and then as honorary mayor in 2001.

The objects arranged in this office bear witness to his political action and are also a reflection of some aspects of his personality. The walls are filled with paintings, lithographs, personal photographs, and even framed newspaper articles.

On the shelves of the wooden furniture stand proudly collections of statuettes, coins or medals. These decorative elements have mostly been offered to Aimé Césaire as a sign of respect and recognition.

Notebooks, stacked books, notebooks, pens, small frames and a pair of glasses are arranged on his large desk.

Despite the clarity and brightness of this large room, the staging around Aimé Césaire gives the place a feeling of reverence and authenticity, from which a lot of emotions emanate; time has stood still. The Aimé Césaire Museum Space perfectly illustrates the greatness of the man and makes his presence almost tangible.

The Aimé Césaire Museum Space has been awarded the Maison des Illustres label, granted by the Ministry of Culture in 2019. It's a visit that history enthusiasts or the curious will eagerly arrange.

This memorial, dedicated to different facets of the life of the politician and poet, is nestled in the theater of the city of Fort-de-France, which also bears his name. The theater is also a highlight of the capital's cultural life as it hosts numerous productions and a varied theatrical program.

A museum tracing Aimé Césaire's footsteps

For visitors who wish to delve into the poet's personal life and learn more about him beyond his life as a writer and politician, the Aimé Césaire Foundation has decided to open the doors of his house on the Route de Redoute, on the heights of Fort-de-France. It also benefits from the Maison des Illustres label.

Acquired by Aimé Césaire and Suzanne Roussi in the 1960s, this Creole-style villa consists of 3 bedrooms, a living room, an office, and a large library that contains numerous works on all of the poet's interests.

It has been classified as a historical monument since 2014 and also hosts literary meetings, film shoots, and musical performances.