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Fort-de-France

Lindsay Johns's tour of cities influenced by Africa continues in Fort-de-France, the capital of the Caribbean island of Martinique.

Writer and broadcaster Lindsay Johns continues his tour of great cities influenced by their relationship with Africa in Fort-de-France, the capital of the Caribbean island of Martinique.

On an island where, as he puts it, Gallic efficiency and Cartesian rigour rub shoulders with local Creole flavour, all in the enervating tropical heat, Lindsay examines the question of identity. Fort-de-France, says Lindsay, looks to Paris for her modus vivendi and to Africa for her raison d鈥櫭猼re. So was the decision of Martinique鈥檚 most famous son - the poet, playwright, polymath, founder of the Negritude literary movement, politician and former Mayor of Fort-de-France, Aim茅 C茅saire - to stave off independence and remain part of France, the right one? On his walk around the city Lindsay encounters French waiters, BMW-driving witch doctors, and a decapitated lady, as he considers this question.

Producer: Giles Edwards.

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14 minutes

Last on

Thu 17 Aug 2023 22:45

Broadcasts

  • Thu 22 Oct 2020 22:45
  • Thu 17 Aug 2023 22:45

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